Is this realistic?

[Waiting2goback]

Before I comment on your vacation I just had to let you know I don't start my job until Monday but I appreciate the well wishes anyway. I'm just finally ready to get started and begin moving forward with my life.

I am so glad you had a good time on your vacation. I always love to hear about people's first Disney vacations because it's like having kids. You can think you know what it will be like but until you experience it firsthand you don't really know. You don't really understand how massive the place is until you see it and see what it takes to run it.

Then you get the details in the attraction, the shows, etc... You compare it to local amusement parks you've gone to and then you see just how amazing the place is.

Having said that, I hear what you are saying with some of the restaraunts not being so great. Disney isn't perfect but it is the best of its kind by far. I have also been disappointed on my last 2 trips because the merchandise is lacking. Years ago you could go to different stores at the different parks and there would be different stuff to buy everywhere. Now it is all the same stuff, for the most part.

The greatest part is, you didn't get to see and do everything they have to offer so your next trip there will be unique as well. With over 300 places to eat you could go for a month and eat at a different place each meal and not even hit 1/2 the places. So, it can always be new and different.

I hope you get to run another Disney race and have many more trips in your future. One other thing about it, it is not the most relaxing of vacations. You typically need to come back home to get rest. I have been tired all week. The letdown of all the stress to get ready for the trip and the training, once its over you have to relax.

 

[dizzyr]

I'm so disappointed that the TOT is cancelled next year. I would like to think I am strong enough to keep up the training without a goal but I'm not.

 

[StayCool]

Before I comment on your vacation I just had to let you know I don't start my job until Monday but I appreciate the well wishes anyway. I'm just finally ready to get started and begin moving forward with my life.

I am so glad you had a good time on your vacation. I always love to hear about people's first Disney vacations because it's like having kids. You can think you know what it will be like but until you experience it firsthand you don't really know. You don't really understand how massive the place is until you see it and see what it takes to run it.

Then you get the details in the attraction, the shows, etc... You compare it to local amusement parks you've gone to and then you see just how amazing the place is.

Having said that, I hear what you are saying with some of the restaraunts not being so great. Disney isn't perfect but it is the best of its kind by far. I have also been disappointed on my last 2 trips because the merchandise is lacking. Years ago you could go to different stores at the different parks and there would be different stuff to buy everywhere. Now it is all the same stuff, for the most part.

The greatest part is, you didn't get to see and do everything they have to offer so your next trip there will be unique as well. With over 300 places to eat you could go for a month and eat at a different place each meal and not even hit 1/2 the places. So, it can always be new and different.

I hope you get to run another Disney race and have many more trips in your future. One other thing about it, it is not the most relaxing of vacations. You typically need to come back home to get rest. I have been tired all week. The letdown of all the stress to get ready for the trip and the training, once its over you have to relax.

Oops. Well good luck on Monday anyway!

I had a blast just seeing everything through new eyes. That was the best part. I had planned enough to know that I couldn't do it all and just focused on my must-dos and let the rest slide. I think by taking that approach we all had a better time. I missed most of my FPs and I didn't even care. It just worked out better that way. We missed Fantasmic! and Wishes so those are on the list for next time.

My biggest problem with the food was doing the character dinners. My kids are thin and don't eat a lot. I don't eat nearly as much as I used to. So it is difficult to justify spending $40 per person when the food is just ok. I did love the breakfasts and that is something I would focus more on next time as well. The prices were much more reasonable also. I'd love to try a signature restaurant with my husband as well. He would really enjoy that.

I really hope to do Wine & Dine in 2016 with my friend. It will all depend on how my training goes. I completely agree about it not being a relaxing vacation. I am exhausted! I have been trying to catch up on my work and all of my patients are getting sick so there just is not enough time. Plus I am not sleeping well for some reason.

I'm so disappointed that the TOT is cancelled next year. I would like to think I am strong enough to keep up the training without a goal but I'm not.

I agree that without TOT as a goal I never would have trained at all. So what you need to do is pick a different race. Wine & Dine is only 1 month later. Whatever you do, pick something to keep you motivated. You can do this.

 

[Waiting2goback]

StayCool, you HAVE to see Fantasmic next time. That, along with seeing the castle, or my only must-do's on every trip. I know some people don't like it but I see it every time. And, based on the fact the place is packed for every show I have ever been to it seems others feel the same way I do.

I agree that the prices of some of those character buffets are crazy. I usually like to do a nice sit down meal on each of my solo trips but once I saw how much the prices went up this year I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I am still suffering from major blister issues but I got out and ran 2 miles today just to keep in the habit and keep the legs used to the pounding with my marathon only 10 days away. They hurt still but I have to find the line between running and healing so I can finish my marathon.

Dizzy- I agree 1000% with StayCool. PICK A DIFFERENT RACE. DO NOT GIVE UP. You could either do the Wine and Dine which gives you an extra month to train and also almost assures cooler weather. Yes, it may be 3.1 more miles but a year from now, as long as you stay consistent, 3.1 miles will seem like nothing. If I can do a marathon 7 months after I began running (and I have decided I will finish so I'll make it happen) you can do a 1/2 in 13 months. You don't need to win it, just finish. DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF NOW. And, I was 60-70 lbs overweight when I started so its not like I was in peak shape. I am still 30-40 lbs overweight.

If for some reason you don't think you can do that race pick one of the 10K on another race weekend, or even the Wine and Dine if they have one, and do a 10K.

I can't tell you how many times I have doubted myself during this process. I can't tell you how many times I would have given up if not for the ToT race to keep me going. I think StayCool would say the same thing. But, I can tell you how proud I was of myself when I crossed the finishline because I didn't quit on myself. You need to have that feeling too.

I will say, had I known what I know now, I would have picked the Wine and Dine anyway. Once I learned how hot previous ToT races were I wished I picked the Wine and Dine instead. I only picked the ToT because it was the shortest of the major races they offered and I didn't think I could do the 13.1 miles. It worked out because we got great weather but there is not guarantee you would get the same weather next year.

Try to find the positive out of the cancellation (like new changes coming to HS, finding a bigger challenge for you to overcome, a better afterparty at Wine and Dine from what I've heard, etc...) and commit.

OK, I am probably making no sense by now as I feel like I am rambling to convince you not to give up. I am off my soapbox. I just hope you pick a different race and go for it.

 

[dizzyr]

I agree you need to see fantasmic it was great! Your trip sounded a lot like ours - I spent hours planning and then ended up going with the flow most of the time and only used the fast passes we had booked for the parade and toy story and both of those were worth their weight in gold!

We had free dining so booked 2 character meals since I knew I wouldn't want to pay for them if it was in my dime. I'm glad we did them but if we didn't get free dining again I probably wouldn't do them this time.

I definitely want to book another race but the two reasons I picked the TOT was it was the time we were already planning (we did the Christmas party last time and wanted to do Halloween this time and two and most importantly my daughter could register - she's 12 in November of this year and the TOT age was 12 - the half marathons it's 14. If she decided she didn't want to do it I'd be fine going alone but I would never go without her if she really had her heart set in it (which so far she does - she's telling everyone). If we give up on the Halloween idea we can maybe make the marathon weekend and do the 10k because she will be allowed to enter that one.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I would like to think I am strong enough to keep up the training without a goal but I'm not.

Dizzy, this is the quote that had me concerned. The fact that you didn't think you were strong enough to do it without the goal. Your reasons in your most recent post are much more understandable.


I will offer an opinion on the Halloween issue and it may or may not help you in your decision. I was disappointed in this trip from a vacation standpoint. The race is what made it a success. If I had gone down just because it was Halloween time I would have not been as happy. (To be clear, I still had fun, after all it is Disney. I love it there so if it was raining acid I would still love it) I just remember saying to myself that if I was there because it was Halloween I would be very disappointed.

It is a difficult thing because these trips cost A LOT and if your family has their heart set on going at Halloween and you will feel let down if you don't, then you need to do that. But, other than the Halloween party (which was EXCELLENT) it didn't feel all that Halloweenish to me. The hotels weren't decorated like Halloween from what I saw. MK had some decorations out on non-MNSSHP times but that's because they had to be there for the party. I saw nothing much at the other parks. On top of that, if you want the most Halloween experience for your trip you have to go to the party which is EXTRA money. And, here is the part that bugged me the most. The parks closed so early while I was there. Unless you bought tickets to the party the latest a park was open was 10pm and they opened at 9am with no extra magic hours. The tickets aren't discounted though. You pay the same as you would if you go when the parks are open from 8am-midnight.

I haven't checked the park hours in January for the marathon weekend so it may be the same thing. But, in my opinion, Christmas is a much better time to go because at least you get the Christmas theme everywhere you go down there.

I also don't have a firsthand knowledge of marathon weekend but from everything I have heard there is an electricity down there during that weekend. The prices are also cheaper for hotels and for flights (at least based on what I just checked out yesterday when trying to get an idea if I could afford that race in 2016).

Only you know what is best for you and your family. But as far as bang for the buck I think January would be better. Throw all of what I said on top of the weather. Very little rain in January whereas October is still hurricane season down there. More chance of shows getting rained out, etc...

I would love to go on marathon weekend, personally. I would love to see what the race experience is like that weekend. They pull no punches that weekend as that is runDisney's flagship race. Of course this comes from someone who plans to make this a lifestyle now. Talking to so many people who do multiple races a year and hearing about the different races got me hooked. I said to myself, "So, I get to be healthy AND have a reason to come down here multiple times a year if I can afford it?"

Hopefully that helps make a decision.

 

[StayCool]

StayCool, you HAVE to see Fantasmic next time. That, along with seeing the castle, or my only must-do's on every trip. I know some people don't like it but I see it every time. And, based on the fact the place is packed for every show I have ever been to it seems others feel the same way I do.

I agree that the prices of some of those character buffets are crazy. I usually like to do a nice sit down meal on each of my solo trips but once I saw how much the prices went up this year I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I am still suffering from major blister issues but I got out and ran 2 miles today just to keep in the habit and keep the legs used to the pounding with my marathon only 10 days away. They hurt still but I have to find the line between running and healing so I can finish my marathon.

Fantasmic and Wishes both got rained out for me or we would have stayed. It was on my must do list. As far as the character buffets, well my kids are older and didn't really interact with them and just focused on getting photos. So it isn't really worth the money for dinner. I would pay for breakfasts.

I am finally not sore today! However I am completely exhausted and have had a draining headache for 2 days. I'm not sure if I am getting sick or if it is just because I'm tired. I'm going to take some melatonin tonight and see how I feel in the morning. If I feel better I will go to Zumba.

Dizzy- I agree 1000% with StayCool. PICK A DIFFERENT RACE. DO NOT GIVE UP. You could either do the Wine and Dine which gives you an extra month to train and also almost assures cooler weather. You don't need to win it, just finish. DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF NOW. And, I was 60-70 lbs overweight when I started so its not like I was in peak shape. I am still 30-40 lbs overweight.

If for some reason you don't think you can do that race pick one of the 10K on another race weekend, or even the Wine and Dine if they have one, and do a 10K.

I can't tell you how many times I have doubted myself during this process. I can't tell you how many times I would have given up if not for the ToT race to keep me going. I think StayCool would say the same thing. But, I can tell you how proud I was of myself when I crossed the finishline because I didn't quit on myself. You need to have that feeling too.

dizzyr You have been able to read all our doubts. We can relate. Pick something, anything. Even if it is a local 5k just so you have a goal. I wouldn't have followed through with my training either if I didn't have the race to look forward to. Even with that I still fell off the wagon. But I got back up and that was the important thing.

I agree you need to see fantasmic it was great! Your trip sounded a lot like ours - I spent hours planning and then ended up going with the flow most of the time and only used the fast passes we had booked for the parade and toy story and both of those were worth their weight in gold!

We had free dining so booked 2 character meals since I knew I wouldn't want to pay for them if it was in my dime. I'm glad we did them but if we didn't get free dining again I probably wouldn't do them this time.

I definitely want to book another race but the two reasons I picked the TOT was it was the time we were already planning (we did the Christmas party last time and wanted to do Halloween this time and two and most importantly my daughter could register - she's 12 in November of this year and the TOT age was 12 - the half marathons it's 14. If she decided she didn't want to do it I'd be fine going alone but I would never go without her if she really had her heart set in it (which so far she does - she's telling everyone). If we give up on the Halloween idea we can maybe make the marathon weekend and do the 10k because she will be allowed to enter that one.

We didn't have free dining and after the way we ate, I would never bother with the dining package. It would be way too much for us.

Just look around and see what kind of race works for both of you. Or maybe do one locally with your daughter but at the same time sign up for a Disney half just for you. Either way you will still get to train with her. And you will both have fun.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Glad you had a decent race!

 

[dizzyr]

As far as the character buffets, well my kids are older and didn't really interact with them and just focused on getting photos. So it isn't really worth the money for dinner. I would pay for breakfasts.

We didn't have free dining and after the way we ate, I would never bother with the dining package. It would be way too much for us.

It was great having the free dining because I didn't care what anyone was ordering (my oldest tends to go for the ribs or expensive pastas!) and it was just so easy. It's definitely not worth it for us if we were paying for it though. I could have had a room only discount instead and it would have been about $100 a day so I figured the free dining was a better deal. Most of the character dining was like you had described but Crystal Palace was so awesome. My oldest daughter has had a stuffed Piglet since she was a baby was completely star struck when she met Piglet. She knew that it was a person in a costume but she started shaking when Piglet came to our table - she also had her Piglet with her (wanted to introduce them LOL) and Piglet stole it from her and it was great. I wasn't impressed at all with the food but I would do that one again just for Piglet (and Pooh who is my absolute favorite). It was a ton of food though since every meal came with desert and since it was our week most places gave us cupcakes as well (even for breakfast!).

My favorite restaurant was O'hana for dinner - so yummy.

 

[dizzyr]

I will offer an opinion on the Halloween issue and it may or may not help you in your decision. I was disappointed in this trip from a vacation standpoint. The race is what made it a success. If I had gone down just because it was Halloween time I would have not been as happy. (To be clear, I still had fun, after all it is Disney. I love it there so if it was raining acid I would still love it) I just remember saying to myself that if I was there because it was Halloween I would be very disappointed.

It is a difficult thing because these trips cost A LOT and if your family has their heart set on going at Halloween and you will feel let down if you don't, then you need to do that. But, other than the Halloween party (which was EXCELLENT) it didn't feel all that Halloweenish to me. The hotels weren't decorated like Halloween from what I saw. MK had some decorations out on non-MNSSHP times but that's because they had to be there for the party. I saw nothing much at the other parks. On top of that, if you want the most Halloween experience for your trip you have to go to the party which is EXTRA money. And, here is the part that bugged me the most. The parks closed so early while I was there. Unless you bought tickets to the party the latest a park was open was 10pm and they opened at 9am with no extra magic hours. The tickets aren't discounted though. You pay the same as you would if you go when the parks are open from 8am-midnight.

I knew that about the Halloween party (we went to the Christmas one last year) - our plan was to fly out the Thursday night and arrive in Orlando at 10:30 (same flight we took last time) check in and relax, maybe grab a nap and then head to MK to be there at 4:00. That would have given us a full 8 hours at the park on a party ticket. Saturday would have been a sleep in day, Expo, pool time then the race and party. Sunday was a sleep in, DTD and resort day and then Monday we would hit the parks for a week with a break in the middle to go back to Discovery Cove (heaven on earth!). Our trip last year was great but the kids were disappointed we didn't have time to explore the resort (we stayed at AKL and only had 4 days so barely had time to do anything) so this time we weren't planning on spending long days at the park.

I haven't checked the park hours in January for the marathon weekend so it may be the same thing. But, in my opinion, Christmas is a much better time to go because at least you get the Christmas theme everywhere you go down there.

We loved Christmas last year - after WDW we went on DCL and it was all decked out for Christmas too!

I also don't have a firsthand knowledge of marathon weekend but from everything I have heard there is an electricity down there during that weekend. The prices are also cheaper for hotels and for flights (at least based on what I just checked out yesterday when trying to get an idea if I could afford that race in 2016).

Only you know what is best for you and your family. But as far as bang for the buck I think January would be better. Throw all of what I said on top of the weather. Very little rain in January whereas October is still hurricane season down there. More chance of shows getting rained out, etc...

I would love to go on marathon weekend, personally. I would love to see what the race experience is like that weekend. They pull no punches that weekend as that is runDisney's flagship race. Of course this comes from someone who plans to make this a lifestyle now. Talking to so many people who do multiple races a year and hearing about the different races got me hooked. I said to myself, "So, I get to be healthy AND have a reason to come down here multiple times a year if I can afford it?"

Hopefully that helps make a decision.

This makes me get excited about marathon weekend. My oldest is at grade 7 camp and won't be home until tomorrow night but I asked my youngest if she would rather go in January than Halloween and I got a big thumbs up from her. She really wanted to go in January because her birthday is the 23rd. The rest of us all have November birthdays (16, 18 & 22) so on the last trip we all celebrated our birthday and she wore an UNbirthday pin lol. I'm sure my oldest would be ok with switching, she knows how much I want to do a Disney run and she is crazy supportive for someone who's only 11. My dh will go along with whatever I want - he would love to be there during Halloween but would give it up in a heartbeat if it was so I could do a race. I'm very lucky that way. Plus it gives us 4 more months to save!

dizzyr You have been able to read all our doubts. We can relate. Pick something, anything. Even if it is a local 5k just so you have a goal. I wouldn't have followed through with my training either if I didn't have the race to look forward to. Even with that I still fell off the wagon. But I got back up and that was the important thing.

Just look around and see what kind of race works for both of you. Or maybe do one locally with your daughter but at the same time sign up for a Disney half just for you. Either way you will still get to train with her. And you will both have fun.

I took your advice and I'm registering for the Jingle run in December - it's a 5K run through Stanley Park along the seawall (not sure if you have ever heard about Stanley Park but it was named the best park in the world by Trip Advisor!). I'm waiting until tomorrow to sign up to see if my daughter wants to join me. A friend at work did it last year and said if I sign up she will too. I still plan on doing the Sun Run 10K in April and the 5K color run in September (that one looks like a ton of fun!). I will find others along the way - I'd love to work my way up to something like the Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder. I think I was just having a pity party this morning.

Thanks to both of you for jumping in right away and not letting me wallow in self pity Maybe we'll all be at marathon weekend!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I took your advice and I'm registering for the Jingle run in December - it's a 5K run through Stanley Park along the seawall (not sure if you have ever heard about Stanley Park but it was named the best park in the world by Trip Advisor!). I'm waiting until tomorrow to sign up to see if my daughter wants to join me. A friend at work did it last year and said if I sign up she will too. I still plan on doing the Sun Run 10K in April and the 5K color run in September (that one looks like a ton of fun!). I will find others along the way - I'd love to work my way up to something like the Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder. I think I was just having a pity party this morning.

Thanks to both of you for jumping in right away and not letting me wallow in self pity Maybe we'll all be at marathon weekend!

We all have pity parties. The thing we need to learn to do is to figure out how to deal with the roadblocks that pop up along the way and not let them send us back into our bad habits. That's what worried me about your initial quote about not being strong enough. The cancelling of the ToT might be the best thing that could have happened to you. It is a huge disappointment, right at the beginning of this journey you're starting. You could either fold and give up, like we all have in the past, or you can fight through and not give up. It seems like you have decided to fight through. I still hope you will pick another Disney race to focus on. Any race is a goal but the local ones are easier to blow off because the financial commitment isn't the same. Disney races are a lot of money. You are less likely to blow it off, especially if the kids are looking forward to it and you have told people you are going to run it.

Had a roadblock yesterday myself. I had planned to run a couple days this weekend and it is out now. My son was born with a birth defect of his bladder, among other medical issues. He went for his yearly check-up with his urologist Thursday. During the tests they put a hole in his ureter (the tube that goes from the kidney to the bladder). He had to have surgery to fix it tonight. I just got home. The soonest he will be home is Sunday.

In the past it might have been enough to break my routine of working out. Not anymore. I'll be back on the road a soon as I can. I would like to get at least 2 more runs in before next week's marathon. It's a different world for me now. I was determined before but that Disney race got me so fired up to keep pushing forward.

 

[StayCool]

Glad you had a decent race!

Thank you! I'm still following along on your training. I hope to be as good about getting my workouts in as you are. Maybe someday!

This makes me get excited about marathon weekend. My oldest is at grade 7 camp and won't be home until tomorrow night but I asked my youngest if she would rather go in January than Halloween and I got a big thumbs up from her. She really wanted to go in January because her birthday is the 23rd. The rest of us all have November birthdays (16, 18 & 22) so on the last trip we all celebrated our birthday and she wore an UNbirthday pin lol. I'm sure my oldest would be ok with switching, she knows how much I want to do a Disney run and she is crazy supportive for someone who's only 11. My dh will go along with whatever I want - he would love to be there during Halloween but would give it up in a heartbeat if it was so I could do a race. I'm very lucky that way. Plus it gives us 4 more months to save!

I took your advice and I'm registering for the Jingle run in December - it's a 5K run through Stanley Park along the seawall (not sure if you have ever heard about Stanley Park but it was named the best park in the world by Trip Advisor!). I'm waiting until tomorrow to sign up to see if my daughter wants to join me. A friend at work did it last year and said if I sign up she will too. I still plan on doing the Sun Run 10K in April and the 5K color run in September (that one looks like a ton of fun!). I will find others along the way - I'd love to work my way up to something like the Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder. I think I was just having a pity party this morning.

Thanks to both of you for jumping in right away and not letting me wallow in self pity Maybe we'll all be at marathon weekend!

A goal is a goal and it doesn't really matter what it is. If you can make it for marathon weekend that would be an amazing experience. And it sounds like you have a built in support system with your daughter and your friend running with you. That is amazing! I did the color run last April and other than being really cold, it was a lot of fun.

We all have pity parties. I still hope you will pick another Disney race to focus on. Any race is a goal but the local ones are easier to blow off because the financial commitment isn't the same. Disney races are a lot of money. You are less likely to blow it off, especially if the kids are looking forward to it and you have told people you are going to run it.

Had a roadblock yesterday myself. I had planned to run a couple days this weekend and it is out now. My son was born with a birth defect of his bladder, among other medical issues. He went for his yearly check-up with his urologist Thursday. During the tests they put a hole in his ureter (the tube that goes from the kidney to the bladder). He had to have surgery to fix it tonight. I just got home. The soonest he will be home is Sunday.

I agree that a Disney race is a bigger commitment. There is the cost of the race and then the cost of the trip around the race.

So sorry to hear about your son. I hope all went well and he is ok.


So Friday morning I slept until 30 minutes before Zumba. I thought I felt fine, at least I didn't have a headache. So I got up, hurried around and went. I made it through about 20 minutes and my lungs started burning. My asthma was acting up which is very unusual, especially when it is colder. I rested for about 1/2 a song and then tried again. Nope. Couldn't breathe. So I ended up leaving. That kinda bummed me out. I took it easy the rest of the day and edited my Disney pictures lol. Today I feel ok, but I still feel like something is brewing. I just hope that I kick it without getting full blown sick. I got my flu shot last week, but it takes 2 weeks to be fully effective.

Starting Monday I will be reigning the diet back in. Restocked my frig today with good foods. My goal is to cut out sweets and cut back on carbs throughout the day. My dinner will have carbs but hopefully not too bad. Colder weather = pasta and potatoes in my house. Therefore I need to skip them throughout the day so I don't overdo it.

I am probably not going to do the Returning Warrior 5 mile run. I will do the Zumbathon the night before. But I did find a virtual 5k - a Halloween Walk/Run that has an awesome medal that I want (and yes I like the bling!). So I think I will sign up and do that instead. This is the link: http://usroadrunning.com/index.php?club_id=2402 I've never done a virtual race so it will be another new experience.

 

[Waiting2goback]

StayCool- that race looks cool. Awesome medal too. How do they know you actually run it though? Do you need to use your app and then submit it to Facebook or something after your done?

I'm getting antsy not being able to run. My tendinitis in my ankles is acting up now that I haven't run in a few days. My son will hopefully be home tomorrow and if he is, and all is well, I will hopefully get in a run tomorrow night after work.

Did you download your race certificate yet? Is it in black and white? Mine is and I don't know if its supposed to be that way or if it is my computer.

My kids asthma has been bad lately too. Must be the weather changes that is causing it to happen. Good job trying to fight through it though.

 

[bumbershoot]

But I did find a virtual 5k - a Halloween Walk/Run that has an awesome medal that I want (and yes I like the bling!). So I think I will sign up and do that instead. This is the link: http://usroadrunning.com/index.php?club_id=2402 I've never done a virtual race so it will be another new experience.

That's a very cute medal.

StayCool- that race looks cool. Awesome medal too. How do they know you actually run it though? Do you need to use your app and then submit it to Facebook or something after your done?

Virtual races are generally done on the honor system. You can look at it as just buying a medal; it's up to your conscience as to whether you put in the miles.

 

[Waiting2goback]

That's a very cute medal.



Virtual races are generally done on the honor system. You can look at it as just buying a medal; it's up to your conscience as to whether you put in the miles.

That's kinda cool. I guess it allows people to run a race on their schedule. I have been listening to the Marathon Show podcast in the last week and he was trying to do a virtual race for the 2014 Boston Marathon.

My son got home from the hospital today. He is going to school tomorrow for a 1/2 day at least just to get back in the swing of things. I am hoping to get in a run in the morning before I have to go to work. I am 6 days from my marathon and getting a bit nervous I am not ready. My blisters still have not healed and probably wont by Sunday so my feet should be in great shape on Monday.


Dizzy- haven't heard from you in a couple days. How are things going?

 

[StayCool]

That's a very cute medal. Virtual races are generally done on the honor system. You can look at it as just buying a medal; it's up to your conscience as to whether you put in the miles.

You enter your time online and they send you the stuff in the mail. I'm a bit hesitant to run in a race with *real* runners because I don't want to be so far behind that they forget I'm there. lol This is a way to keep moving.

That's kinda cool. I guess it allows people to run a race on their schedule. I have been listening to the Marathon Show podcast in the last week and he was trying to do a virtual race for the 2014 Boston Marathon.

My son got home from the hospital today. He is going to school tomorrow for a 1/2 day at least just to get back in the swing of things. I am hoping to get in a run in the morning before I have to go to work. I am 6 days from my marathon and getting a bit nervous I am not ready. My blisters still have not healed and probably wont by Sunday so my feet should be in great shape on Monday.

Glad to hear that your son is ok. Good luck on the marathon and just do your best. I would definitely load up on Body Glide and moleskin though.

I've just been bumping along. Still not feeling well. Not eating well either. I haven't exercised and haven't been sleeping. I slept really well last night for the first time in a week and feel a lot better today. I don't know if I have a sinus infection brewing or what but it is annoying me. If I don't feel better by the weekend but haven't gotten worse, I'm going to go out for a 3 mile run anyway just to see what happens.

 

[dizzyr]

A goal is a goal and it doesn't really matter what it is. If you can make it for marathon weekend that would be an amazing experience. And it sounds like you have a built in support system with your daughter and your friend running with you. That is amazing! I did the color run last April and other than being really cold, it was a lot of fun.

I agree that a Disney race is a bigger commitment. There is the cost of the race and then the cost of the trip around the race.

It looks like the new plan of marathon weekend is a go - everyone was on board with me changing the date, it sucks that I have to wait over a year now, I was happy when this years happened because I was thinking it's less than a year now! It gives me more time to train though and I'm thinking of maybe signing up for the half in addition to the 10K. Sign up is in April so that gives me 6 months to see how the running is going. I think I'll have a pretty good idea by then if I can do it or not. The nice thing about the Disney Races are they are double incentive - the cost of the trip is incentive to train and the desire to run is incentive for saving for the trip!

So Friday morning I slept until 30 minutes before Zumba. I thought I felt fine, at least I didn't have a headache. So I got up, hurried around and went. I made it through about 20 minutes and my lungs started burning. My asthma was acting up which is very unusual, especially when it is colder. I rested for about 1/2 a song and then tried again. Nope. Couldn't breathe. So I ended up leaving. That kinda bummed me out. I took it easy the rest of the day and edited my Disney pictures lol. Today I feel ok, but I still feel like something is brewing. I just hope that I kick it without getting full blown sick. I got my flu shot last week, but it takes 2 weeks to be fully effective.

Hope you are feeling better soon. I'm one of those people who are convinced that if I have the flu shot I'll get sick LOL. I've never had the flu before (knock on wood) but it can wipe some people out for a good couple of weeks.

Starting Monday I will be reigning the diet back in. Restocked my frig today with good foods. My goal is to cut out sweets and cut back on carbs throughout the day. My dinner will have carbs but hopefully not too bad. Colder weather = pasta and potatoes in my house. Therefore I need to skip them throughout the day so I don't overdo it.

I spent a couple of days this weekend making and freezing meals and snacks and trying to get organized again to stay on track. We get free lunch at work but it's pretty carb heavy (I work at a drug and alcohol treatment facility and we are trying to put weight on people!) but if I'm not organized it's too easy to not make the effort to make my own.

I am probably not going to do the Returning Warrior 5 mile run. I will do the Zumbathon the night before. But I did find a virtual 5k - a Halloween Walk/Run that has an awesome medal that I want (and yes I like the bling!). So I think I will sign up and do that instead. This is the link: http://usroadrunning.com/index.php?club_id=2402 I've never done a virtual race so it will be another new experience.

I looked it up and the medal is awesome! I was going to sign up but since it say USA road running I didn't think it would be appropriate so I looked up other ones and there's a Halloween one my daughter and I are going to do. I think the collection of bling will be a visual motivator for me and it will be fun to do with my daughter.

I'm getting antsy not being able to run. My tendinitis in my ankles is acting up now that I haven't run in a few days. My son will hopefully be home tomorrow and if he is, and all is well, I will hopefully get in a run tomorrow night after work.

Sorry to hear about your son, sending him good vibes for a speedy recovery!

That's kinda cool. I guess it allows people to run a race on their schedule. I have been listening to the Marathon Show podcast in the last week and he was trying to do a virtual race for the 2014 Boston Marathon.

I know you mentioned them before but what Podcasts do you listen to? I may check some out.

My son got home from the hospital today. He is going to school tomorrow for a 1/2 day at least just to get back in the swing of things. I am hoping to get in a run in the morning before I have to go to work. I am 6 days from my marathon and getting a bit nervous I am not ready. My blisters still have not healed and probably wont by Sunday so my feet should be in great shape on Monday.

Yeah! How is he feeling? Did school go well? You will do great on your marathon - it's amazing to think that a year ago (or less) you weren't even running and now a MARATHON! That's so cool.

Dizzy- haven't heard from you in a couple days. How are things going?

It was Canadian Thanksgiving here so we had a long weekend and I also took Friday off. I was soooooooooo productive at home, got many things on my to-do list checked off. Too bad it's still so long! I have a really busy week coming up so I knew I needed to be organized with the meals or we would be eating out every night.

I signed up for the Santa shuffle (well I will be signing up in a few minutes) and a virtual 5K Halloween run. Let the collection of blink start to pile up! LOL

You enter your time online and they send you the stuff in the mail. I'm a bit hesitant to run in a race with *real* runners because I don't want to be so far behind that they forget I'm there. lol This is a way to keep moving.

That's how I feel too!

I've just been bumping along. Still not feeling well. Not eating well either. I haven't exercised and haven't been sleeping. I slept really well last night for the first time in a week and feel a lot better today. I don't know if I have a sinus infection brewing or what but it is annoying me. If I don't feel better by the weekend but haven't gotten worse, I'm going to go out for a 3 mile run anyway just to see what happens.

Hopefully the good sleeps will continue and you'll be back to your normal self in no time.

 

[dizzyr]

Waitingtogoback how were the first two days of the new job?

 

[Waiting2goback]

I hope you can turn things around because as we get closer to the winter it will be harder to get back on the exercise routine if you don't start soon. It is hard to get back at it now that the race is over, no doubt.

I think the best thing you could do this weekend is to get out there and run unless you are really sick. It gets the blood flowing and the mood will improve. I'm pulling for you.

 

[Waiting2goback]

It looks like the new plan of marathon weekend is a go - everyone was on board with me changing the date, it sucks that I have to wait over a year now, I was happy when this years happened because I was thinking it's less than a year now! It gives me more time to train though and I'm thinking of maybe signing up for the half in addition to the 10K.

I know you mentioned them before but what Podcasts do you listen to? I may check some out.

Yeah! How is he feeling? Did school go well? You will do great on your marathon - it's amazing to think that a year ago (or less) you weren't even running and now a MARATHON! That's so cool.

Yes, sign up for both. None of this we'll see how things are going in 6 months and sign up if they are going well. You decide you are going to do it and make it happen!!! The only thing stopping you from doing this is you not believing you can!!!!

I listen to the Mickey Miles podcast. Some episodes are better than others but it is all about runDisney so you can get good info about the races so that's why I keep listening. I actually met them at the ToT. They were really nice.

I listen to the Runner Academy podcast. This is more running specific. I have gotten a lot of good information from this podcast.

I just started listening to The Marathon Show podcast. This one is different in that he records his shows while running the races himself. He talks to people out on the course during the run. Some nice stories. He is really excited and has a lot of energy and the people he interviews seem to as well. He has interviewed a couple people on the episodes I have listened to that have lost over 100 lbs from running. One of them is also on the Mickey Miles podcast as well. His name is Eddie McCoy. He has lost like 150 lbs and is now a real runner. He qualified to run the Boston Marathon and ran it in 2014.

My son is doing well. Back to school today. He needs a medicine to control bladder spasms because a stent was implanted and the body likes to fight it so it causes pain. Thank you both for the well-wishes.

The job is going OK. Day 2 is over and its a lot of paperwork and stuff to get started so not all that exciting. But, I ran 3.5 miles this morning before work this morning so that is good. Felt good to get back out there after about a week off. Hopefully I can get back out there again tomorrow before work again.