It All Started With (An Eloborate Plot to See) A Mouse: A Feb 2014 PTR! (UD: 03/02!)

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I forgot to post a couple days ago, but:

We paid off our trip! Yaaaay!

Today is 45 days left. Just a month and a half now!

Whoohooo!!! We're getting close!

 

[Imbri]

Whoohooo!!! We're getting close!

36 days to go for me! It's getting unrealistically close. I'm gonna freak out when it's actually February.



Mini-Update!
Did my 11 miler today! I did it at a friends gym that has an indoor track. SO WORTH the $10 drop in fee. It felt like it FLEW by. I did hit a point where mile 8 I thought I was on mile 9, and so I went "2 more miles to gooooo!!!" and then looked at my laps and realized I was off. By a lot. Ugh. (17 laps to 1 mile. I circled that damn track 187 times. Still worth it to have not run on a treadmill.) Time ended at 2 hrs 27 mins 57 secs, which breaks up to a 13 mins 27 sec pace. I walked a good half of that. I'm SO pleased with it! The gym was about a billion degrees (legitimately. There was a sign on the door to the track that said they were having heating/cooling issues in the gym and the staff was "working on a solution" I think it had to have been well into the 70s, possibly 80s. I asked at the front desk, and the best they could come up with "damn hot" Thaaaannnks), so due to that, I had to refill my water bottle (about a 10oz-er) 4 or so times, which could be problematic, since obviously I can't do that on course. I also didn't count the time I stopped to refill the water bottle in my time. I did got to the bathroom twice and timed that to be about 6 mins between the two times, so +6 to overall time (which would put me at about a 14 min pace, I think? Hopefully I can cut it down to 1 break and take less time). I also didn't count the times I stepped into the hallway to cool down (which WON'T be an option on the run. Yikes) Overall, I'm feeling good about race day. I'm just over worrying about all the extra variables.

My "big" news for this update, though, is that I found what my fuel of choice will be!

Up until now, I've used GU Gels, and have been ok with them, but not loving them.

I recently signed up for a blind box subscription ( www.stridebox.com There are lots out there, after a bit of research, I settled on this one, because it contained the most food, which is what I'm looking for, and it wasn't all fuel, it was a mix of fuel and healthy snacks). I got my first one last week!

I'm gonna copy/paste what I wrote about them on my Running Moms FB group (I was asked what I liked best).
So far I like the "nogii" best.
I've tried that, the zing bar and the cocohydro.
The zing bar was ok, it was a bit like a SlimFast bar, without the chocolate coating, and would probably make a good pre-run snack. (I ate it in place of my normal daily snack of a Raw Bar, it filled me up about the same, so that was cool)
The nogii would make a GREAT post run pick me up. (Again, ate it in place of my Raw Bar today, lol. The info sheet said they could both be used "before/during/after" runs, but I just wanted to see how they were. It was delicious, it was kind of like a rice krispie, coated in chocolate, but I'm not feeling jittery or like I had any sort of sugar crash (I believe it said it was high in protien)
The cocohydro was disgusting. I love plain water. This tasted like drinking unsweetend vitamin water, with a coconut aftertaste. Just, absolutely retched. My stomach is pretty angry at me right now because of it.
Tomorrow I'm doing a long run and I plan to try the UCAN drink mix and the power bar chew things.
And then from today:
Ok, reporting back for 2 more things. This is a bit long, I apologize.
First was the UCAN powdered drink mix. The info card says "A unique sports drink powered by SuperStarch to provide consistent energy, without spikes, crashes and gastric distress" The package says "Scientifically Proven: Sustain energy, Optimize performance, enhance fat burn" (They explain each claim out on the back) It said to mix with at least 16.9 oz cold water and drink 30 mins before activity.
OK. SO.
I was prepared to bash the heck out of this drink, when I was drinking it. If I was given a choice between this and the coconut water packet, I -might- choose the coconut water. The flavor was Lemonade, and at first, it wasn't too terrible. It was mostly water tasting, with a "thick" feeling and a sweet lemon-y aftertaste. As I got further in, I realized that it had not mixed in well AT ALL. There were no less than 5 gelatinous globs in the last 6oz of water (I added more water, to help break it up, and ended with more "thick" water), I choked it down and made a note to never drink this again.
My run tonight was 11 miles, pace ended up coming out to 13 mins, 27 sec (I alternated between speed walk and run), at no point did I ever feel run down. I did do this on an indoor track, instead of a treadmill, but I felt fantastic for the first 6ish miles (I'd even say up to mile 8). I have tummy issues when I run, usually I can get about 60 mins in and I NEED a bathroom break. I hit about 1hr 50mins before I needed to stop for the bathroom. IF this was the drink's doing, it is worth it to chug that crap down, I'd actually been really concerned about keeping my stomach under control for my Half coming up.
Second was the PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts "A gel filled chew with a 2:1 glucose to fructose blend for high energy. Have 1-3 pieces every 10 minutes during training/racing"
I ate one every mile. I'm replacing my gels with this. So much tastier (Strawberry banana, but it just tasted like firm gummy bears) and I never felt as tired as I did when I did the gels. The only downside to them is that they are VERY chewy, and later on I had to stop to walk while I ate one, because I almost inhaled pieces.

So yeah. I will be drinking the UCAN prerace, and I will have a package of the PowerBar gummies. I felt great during the run, and I felt great after my run. I know I could have done the last 2.1 miles.

I REALLY don't know if it was because I wasn't on the treadmill, but either way, I'm so excited for possibly finding fuel that works so well for me!

 

[Tinker326]

Yhea!!! So awesome on the 11 mile run(s)! Congrats!!!

You so have this! Way to go!

Good write up on the fuel too- I found most fuel options absolutely horrid. I remember the first time I tried a Lemon GU I almost puked in the middle of my run. It was so gross..........

You and Karen are so close! I can feel the excitement in both of your posts! So excited for you guys!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I am so excited for you--because you're so close to your trip and because your runs are going so well! I had to lol at the description of the temp in the gym being damn hot! But at least you can feel like you got a preview of what it could be like in Florida, right?

The stridebox is cool. I couldn't do any of the water that tastes like coconut though. I tried the coconut water and thought it was horrible--just not right!

Anyway, I'm so excited you found some fuel you like and I know you are gonna rock that half marathon! woohoo!

 

[Imbri]

Yhea!!! So awesome on the 11 mile run(s)! Congrats!!!

You so have this! Way to go!

Good write up on the fuel too- I found most fuel options absolutely horrid. I remember the first time I tried a Lemon GU I almost puked in the middle of my run. It was so gross..........

You and Karen are so close! I can feel the excitement in both of your posts! So excited for you guys!

Thanks! There was a point where I was like "8 miles is good, right?" and then I convinced myself to keep going cuz it was only a 5k more and really, after that run, I had 2 more long runs before Princess, and that's nothing! =D

I tried my first GU on a 5 miler, I think? It was...pretty terrible. I never anticipated them being THAT thick. I forget what flavor I had, it was nasty. I liked that the GU soothed my throat (it had gotten really dry, I'm working on remembering to hydrate every 10 mins or so) and I was able to breath better, after getting the crap down. Some running friends recommended Tri-Berry flavor GU, and of the ones I've tried it is totally the BEST one.

I can't believe were 5 weeks off today! So unreal. Since winter hit, I haven't done any races (suuuch a baby about the cold, lol), so I'm also really antsy to just do a race. =D

I am so excited for you--because you're so close to your trip and because your runs are going so well! I had to lol at the description of the temp in the gym being damn hot! But at least you can feel like you got a preview of what it could be like in Florida, right?

The stridebox is cool. I couldn't do any of the water that tastes like coconut though. I tried the coconut water and thought it was horrible--just not right!

Anyway, I'm so excited you found some fuel you like and I know you are gonna rock that half marathon! woohoo!

Haha, I really hope so! If it's as hot or slightly less hot than the gym, I can do it. I'll probably be dousing myself at water stations as well as drinking it, but it should be ok. There'll (hopefully) be breezes outside too.

I love fresh coconut, but I've never liked the water. Blech! I don't know why I thought a mix in would be any better.

Thanks for the encouragement! Baloo means well, but sometimes he likes to jam his foot up in his mouth. I texted him "7 more laps!" when I was running and he replied with "Yay?" He maintains that he thought I was on a normal track, which would have meant just under 2 more miles (I countered with "Which means I would still have been going for just over 9 miles" and he was kinda quiet, lol). He is very supportive though! Sometimes, he just doesn't think before talking...

 

[Imbri]

So as of today, there are 5 more weeks until the run! 32 days (31, since it's after midnight. ) until we leave!

I'd mentioned at day 101, we're going through our Disney movies, 1 a day (Animated, Pixar, live action, Miyazaki, Muppets and Pirates). Last week, we watched Fantasia 2000 and it dawned on me that we were IN THE 2000s! So very close!

Stormy loves pretty much anything on the tv that has music and movement and color. Last week, though, he took to Hercules. The Muses had him enthralled, I wish I'd had my camera out! They were doing their intro song, and he watched about half of it, without moving, then suddenly threw his hands up (if you remember their first song, Gospel Truth, they have a lot of arm waving in it!), and ran forward, then ran back. I think he was trying to dance along? He was very proud of himself for it.

Yesterday was Monsters Inc, and our first Pixar. I admit, I was never a big Pixar fan, and don't own nearly any of them, and watching Monsters yesterday, still don't really love it. It's pretty cute, but not my thing. Ah well. Stormy loved the door opening and closing sequence at the start, but I think that may have been for the letters (which he's obsessed with right now. We can't take him shopping, because he wants to point at EVERY SINGLE LETTER in the store. And he'll fake read them off, which gets us so many looks of shock from other shoppers, because they assume he's actually reading them. Nope, just parroting back, lol!)

I'm starting to work on clothes for Disney. I made a test dress the other day, and the pattern size I have is too small, boo! At the time I bought my patters (the $5 for 5 sale Joanns does), I estimated I'd be at a 14 (I'd hoped smaller), based on the rate i was losing weight. I was so so close to being right. I'm about 2 inches off on it (and at my tummy area! I was convinced it'd be my chest that'd be the problem!), which is pretty lame, so I had to buy a couple new patterns (luckily, Joanns happened to be running their $5 for 5 this week again. What timing, eh?) I'm just kicking myself for not getting the 14-22 size initially, instead of the 2-14 size. You can always take stuff in.

I ordered materials for Stormy's running costume today. His should take an afternoon to make, I can't wait!

Tomorrow I'll try to post a pic of the test dress, to see if anyone can guess whose outfit it is. =D

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

So as of today, there are 5 more weeks until the run! 32 days (31, since it's after midnight. ) until we leave!

I'd mentioned at day 101, we're going through our Disney movies, 1 a day (Animated, Pixar, live action, Miyazaki, Muppets and Pirates). Last week, we watched Fantasia 2000 and it dawned on me that we were IN THE 2000s! So very close!

Stormy loves pretty much anything on the tv that has music and movement and color. Last week, though, he took to Hercules. The Muses had him enthralled, I wish I'd had my camera out! They were doing their intro song, and he watched about half of it, without moving, then suddenly threw his hands up (if you remember their first song, Gospel Truth, they have a lot of arm waving in it!), and ran forward, then ran back. I think he was trying to dance along? He was very proud of himself for it.

Yesterday was Monsters Inc, and our first Pixar. I admit, I was never a big Pixar fan, and don't own nearly any of them, and watching Monsters yesterday, still don't really love it. It's pretty cute, but not my thing. Ah well. Stormy loved the door opening and closing sequence at the start, but I think that may have been for the letters (which he's obsessed with right now. We can't take him shopping, because he wants to point at EVERY SINGLE LETTER in the store. And he'll fake read them off, which gets us so many looks of shock from other shoppers, because they assume he's actually reading them. Nope, just parroting back, lol!)

I'm starting to work on clothes for Disney. I made a test dress the other day, and the pattern size I have is too small, boo! At the time I bought my patters (the $5 for 5 sale Joanns does), I estimated I'd be at a 14 (I'd hoped smaller), based on the rate i was losing weight. I was so so close to being right. I'm about 2 inches off on it (and at my tummy area! I was convinced it'd be my chest that'd be the problem!), which is pretty lame, so I had to buy a couple new patterns (luckily, Joanns happened to be running their $5 for 5 this week again. What timing, eh?) I'm just kicking myself for not getting the 14-22 size initially, instead of the 2-14 size. You can always take stuff in.

I ordered materials for Stormy's running costume today. His should take an afternoon to make, I can't wait!

Tomorrow I'll try to post a pic of the test dress, to see if anyone can guess whose outfit it is. =D

Ooooh, can't wait to see it!!!!!

Congrats on the 11 miler, did I tell you that already? Well, I did in my head. I don't know how you did it. I have an indoor track and I CANNOT for the life of me keep count! It's infuriating, I keep repeating the number over and over and then still mess it up when I get back around.

My longest is 10 and may be my longest before the race. I have really bad runners knee right now and cannot run. Everything I have read says I have to rest and not run. Everyone keeps telling me I'll be fine if I just let it heal, but I'm terrified that I'll lose all my stamina.

 

[Imbri]

Ooooh, can't wait to see it!!!!!

Congrats on the 11 miler, did I tell you that already? Well, I did in my head. I don't know how you did it. I have an indoor track and I CANNOT for the life of me keep count! It's infuriating, I keep repeating the number over and over and then still mess it up when I get back around.

My longest is 10 and may be my longest before the race. I have really bad runners knee right now and cannot run. Everything I have read says I have to rest and not run. Everyone keeps telling me I'll be fine if I just let it heal, but I'm terrified that I'll lose all my stamina.

Thanks! I used the stopwatch on my iPhone. You can hit "Lap" and it'll count for you, and tell you how long each lap took (I forgot to hit lap a few times, but after the first 10 laps, I knew how long it too to get around the track, so if it was way higher, I just hit lap again to keep count).

Icky, that sucks! I'm sure you'll be fine, though! Around the holidays I had sort of slacked off (heeeeh...) and then I got the flu and I ended up being out of commission for at least 2 weeks (I think closer to 3), and was able to pick back up on running no problem. That apparently doesn't leave as fast as muscle strength does (man, I went to lift weights after the 2 week break, I had to drop back to lower poundage).

 

[Imbri]

So here's a picture of the test dress. It's just in scrap material I had laying around. It will actually be a pale yellow, with a collar, short sleeves and buttons all the way down.

Any guesses?

 

[Imbri]

MICKEY MAIIIIIIIL.

Stormy helped me open it, although I didn't have my camera out, but it was super cute!

TAHDAH. 29 days to go!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

MAGIC BANDS!!!!! you are super close!!!!!

and I do have a guess about your dress.....is it tiana's waitress dress?

I can't wait to see what you make for stormy! aren't you doing a tiana run outfit too?

 

[Imbri]

MAGIC BANDS!!!!! you are super close!!!!!

and I do have a guess about your dress.....is it tiana's waitress dress?

I can't wait to see what you make for stormy! aren't you doing a tiana run outfit too?

I know! Ahhhh! I wanted to start packing like, last week, and Baloo told me I was being crazy. Now I REALLY want to start packing!

Yup! It's Tiana's waitress dress. =D I'm trying to do an outfit for each day in the parks. I've got 4 planned out, with patterns and such, but I'm not sure about a 5th (we're doing a second day at MK). They're all gonna be Princess and the Frog inspired, hehe!

I'm hoping the fabric will get here within the next day or so, I'm really anxious to start it. His should be pretty easy, I'm excited to do it. <3 And yep, I'm doing Tiana's Swamp dress for my run. I decided against the petiskirt, because I think in the end that'll be way too much fabric around my legs (I've been reading about people ditching their tutu skirts for being too hot, yikes!), so I just ordered a running skirt from etsy ( https://www.etsy.com/listing/176690710/princess-and-the-frog-inspired-swamp?ref=shop_home_active_1 ). I'd be able to make that myself, but trying to get the fabric was proving to be as expensive as just ordering it premade, so I went with that, lol! Less work for me.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Yay! I guessed right! That is such an awesome idea to wear a tiana inspired outfit everyday!! And the running skirt from etsy is cute! I can understand about the pettiskirt--fun to wear, too hot for running.

I hate waiting for fabric I order. I always seems to take SSSOOOOO long! Have I told you about the pattern website I like? Someone on here actually told me about it. It's all downloadable patterns and all pretty reasonable. I got a bunch of stuff when the had a $5 sale. Anyway it's www.youcanmakethis.com . I really like it and everything I've made has been super easy and fun

So I'm sure this is a dumb question, but you are going to meet tiana and naveen while you're there, right? You probably know this but if you go later in the day then naveen is out with her too. I guess he's not out in the mornings. Also, from our experience, get to her line well before it starts. We went to see her twice and her line was already closed. We ended up not seeing her this visit because when it was time to go back again we were wet from rain and tired and the girls were falling asleep.

You all are going to have so much fun!!!

 

[Tinker326]

So close, so close, so close! I'm so exctied for you and Karen!!!

And you are way talented with the sewing and the crafts. Any good ideas for a fish extender craft I can make for our DIsney Cruise in June?

I need to make 30 of something for my group. I can not sew. Ideas, oh crafty one?

 

[Imbri]

Yay! I guessed right! That is such an awesome idea to wear a tiana inspired outfit everyday!! And the running skirt from etsy is cute! I can understand about the pettiskirt--fun to wear, too hot for running.

I hate waiting for fabric I order. I always seems to take SSSOOOOO long! Have I told you about the pattern website I like? Someone on here actually told me about it. It's all downloadable patterns and all pretty reasonable. I got a bunch of stuff when the had a $5 sale. Anyway it's www.youcanmakethis.com . I really like it and everything I've made has been super easy and fun

So I'm sure this is a dumb question, but you are going to meet tiana and naveen while you're there, right? You probably know this but if you go later in the day then naveen is out with her too. I guess he's not out in the mornings. Also, from our experience, get to her line well before it starts. We went to see her twice and her line was already closed. We ended up not seeing her this visit because when it was time to go back again we were wet from rain and tired and the girls were falling asleep.

You all are going to have so much fun!!!

I thought I'd been to that pattern site before, but when I clicked the link, I don't recognize it at all. I love it! It's got a section for boys patterns specifically, which is always really hard to find on Etsy. A bunch of those patterns I've seen on Etsy too, so I assume they have multiple sellers? It's definetly bookmarked for future projects. =D

I didn't actually know any of that! Last time we went, I remember the lines kept closing, but I have that issue for a lot of characters, lol, so it was par for the course with me. We ended up seeing her and Naveen at the Not So Scary Halloween party, instead of during normal hours, so it worked out. I'm hoping to be able to see them on the Run too. =D (I'm planning on not stopping for most characters, unless it's an in and out sort of thing, I need to make sure I have time to wait in line for Tiana <3 )

So close, so close, so close! I'm so exctied for you and Karen!!!

And you are way talented with the sewing and the crafts. Any good ideas for a fish extender craft I can make for our DIsney Cruise in June?

I need to make 30 of something for my group. I can not sew. Ideas, oh crafty one?

Haha, thank you!

I found this on Pinterest: http://www.disneyinsidertips.com/2013/09/make-fish-extender-tutorial/
It involves sewing, but you could probably use liquid stitch (fabric glue) for it instead of sewing.

 

[Imbri]

Had an insane dream last night. Apparently too much Disney (NEVER! )

Dreamed that I saved Tink and another fairy (not sure who) from Hämsterviel (of Lilo and Stitch), and then Tink taught me to fly.

Yep.

Not ready for Disney or anything....

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Had an insane dream last night. Apparently too much Disney (NEVER! )

Dreamed that I saved Tink and another fairy (not sure who) from Hämsterviel (of Lilo and Stitch), and then Tink taught me to fly.

Yep.

Not ready for Disney or anything....

I'm starting to have the dreams too! I dreamed that it snowed like a foot and they canceled the race and did not reschedule. I was mortified.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Had an insane dream last night. Apparently too much Disney (NEVER! )

Dreamed that I saved Tink and another fairy (not sure who) from Hämsterviel (of Lilo and Stitch), and then Tink taught me to fly.

Yep.

Not ready for Disney or anything....

that's so funny! i'd say you need to get to Disney soon!

 

[Imbri]

I'm starting to have the dreams too! I dreamed that it snowed like a foot and they canceled the race and did not reschedule. I was mortified.

Ahaha! I would laugh so hard if it snowed on race day (but not if they canceled it. I would be very upset, lol). I've done all of 1 mile outside so far. The rest has been treadmill/indoor track.

that's so funny! i'd say you need to get to Disney soon!

Yes, haha! 22 days now! Almost into the teens!

 

[Imbri]

Yesterday, I had dental appointment 2 of 2 (technically 3 of 3, if you count the initial cleaning appointment). I haven't been to the dentist since 2010, after my last dentist seriously messed up a cavity filling (didn't get the bite right, then couldn't see me for a WEEK to fix it, I was in pain the whole time). I went to my husbands dentist after switching over to his insurance this year. Had 7 cavities to fill (5 were leftover from 2010, when I refused to go back to my dentist. I'd say 2 more in 4 years is pretty good!), so he did them in 2 rounds, left side and right side. I hate dental work. Sooooooo afterwards, I decided it'd be a good night to go to the mall (which juuuust so happens to have a Disney Store, coincidence? )

We had a fun trip there! One of the workers gave Stormy a cute little Mickey and Minnie sticker (which he crumpled up. he still doesn't quite "get" stickers, lol).

I tried on some hats! I was seriously tempted to get the Cruella one, it was pretty cute. The second had Mulan on it, it's hard to tell. (And yes, my lips look funny cuz they were definitely still numb...)

We ended up buying Stormy a Kermit plush from the clearance area ($6!). We gave him a choice of Oswald or Kermit, and he picked Kermit (Baloo says he probably recognizes Kermit, after watching a season of Muppet Show)

Snuggling and getting kisses from Kermit. We always use his stuffed animals to give him 'kisses', he's now started doing it himself, by touching the plushie to his face and going "Mwahmwah!" It's pretty cute <3

Lastly! I got an email from our Travel Agent saying she'd gotten our Mickey Mail and it was in the mail to us, so we should be getting our luggage tags and such in the next day or so.

I got Stormy's running outfit material in the mail the other day! Any guesses on who he's gonna be? =D