PHM15: A Frozen Cupcake Celebration & Carnage as No Cupcake is Left Behind

[momabaarjo]

Ok, That picture of you on the bus with you sleeping with us flats is my ultimate favorite!!! 18 months till Wine and Dine 2016!!

Glad that someone understands what we were attempting to do!

How are your shines this week? I know you were taking time to rest as you have been very active with all the races you have done?
lastly, Kona you must have those red velvet pancakes in November... I have to carbo load (wink,wink) with those red velvet pancakes.

Ok, last lastly... 4 parks in 1 day rule but not rule is that you ride a ride and eat something in every park.
Last, last, lastly.... Enjoyed reading the meet up with Andreah. seeing all the pics of the cupcakes is so special!

Shins are holding out...just one of those things I have to live with apparently! Ugh...they can really set you back mentally!

Infamous Disney trip planning is the key to post Disney blues! I am in the midst of planning multiple trips on the horizon...Dec, W&D 2016, ** edited now to add C2C 2017 with Star Wars & W&D again (hubby granted me this happiness on Mother's Day morning!), Dopey 2018 (with a likely C2C again with you) & are we still saying GSC 2020?? 20th wedding anniversary vow renewal 2021. Hoping to get a quick Fall break trip in with the family in the next couple years as we really want to go to MNSSHP. Knowing all these Disney trips are on the horizon (however far away that horizon is) keeps me sane.

Thank goodness I get to live through you to help with the in between blues!

See! Everyone knows that you have to ride something and EAT something in each park! It's a universal rule! (haha, pun included for your enjoyment)

LOL...hey don't mess with my love for the Dark Side of Orlando...I can't wait till we explore together and drink a few (butter)Beers! I think I can totally handle the ride and eat something there...

Just got caught up! I'd be excited about a warm up in the weather as well after that previous day. Ive always wanted to stay at AKL for that reason of waking up and seeing animals roaming outside. I have never had tonga toast but hopefully I will soon to see what it's all about. That's so funny that your bus driver got lost and said it was because of traffic. The expo is a lot of fun and is a place where I could defintely go broke.

It was nice that it warmed up and that warming up really helped all the attitudes! We would have totally been in trouble had it been warm the entire trip...You must have Tonga Toast!

I love Via Napoli! Looks like you had a great time especially with the Italian waiters.

We did have a lot of fun...crazy ladies....

Oh how I love Via Napoli!! I am hoping to get an ADR there for Christmas...fingers crossed. One day I will have the zeppoles. How were they by the way? I hate that they don't serve them during busy holiday season.

Blech on the slow travel at AKL!!

SHHHHHH...The Zeppolese were a HUGE disappointment. Overrated donut holes...

I love all the pictures from Via Napoli! It's always nice to have a good reason for ADRs that goes beyond the food ...

One must feed not only the tummy, but the eyes!

 

[rteetz]

Race day! Love your pre race photos. So cool you had someone on the big screen. The walk to the corrals is always crazy. I'm running my first disney half in January so I can't wait to hear how yours went.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

That walk to the corrals is a doozy! I wonder how far of a walk it is by the time you exit the bus & eventually get to your corral...seems like a million miles.

Overrated donut holes?? That makes me sad for the zeppoles. Maybe I don't need to try them afterall. Gotta save room for all the bread puddings lol.

 

[SarahDisney]

I love the group picture!

I've heard so much about the walk to the corrals ... I think that's the one thing I'm not nervous about. Probably because I have to walk 10-15 minutes to get to the park where I run, so it's no big deal for me ... although I'm sure its worse at obscene hour of the morning. I loved that for the 5K the corrals were right there.

Almost time for the race ... I'm really excited to read all about it!

 

[Tinker326]

I am so far behind with the DIS'ing. And your updates made me smile- how much fun we had at Via Napoli!

I can not wait to get back and vacation with all the cupcakes! Even if I feel I will never run distances again- I am still super excited about meeting up for another great vacay!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ahhh! You are so far ahead of us b/c the Tweedles have been total slackers! Boo Tweedles! This makes me want to catch up but I'm not sure when I will. Petsitting is slammed right now with schools all getting out and people heading out of town. Your reports made me miss you all over again! OMG, my face when you took my pic with the Italian boy! I had NO CLUE what was going on! NOW who's the clueless Tweedle?!?!

I have lots more pics I can share of our carb loading and chocolate chugging! and will try to get to it asap!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I am so far behind with the DIS'ing. And your updates made me smile- how much fun we had at Via Napoli!

I can not wait to get back and vacation with all the cupcakes! Even if I feel I will never run distances again- I am still super excited about meeting up for another great vacay!

Ahhh! You are so far ahead of us b/c the Tweedles have been total slackers! Boo Tweedles! This makes me want to catch up but I'm not sure when I will. Petsitting is slammed right now with schools all getting out and people heading out of town. Your reports made me miss you all over again! OMG, my face when you took my pic with the Italian boy! I had NO CLUE what was going on! NOW who's the clueless Tweedle?!?!

I have lots more pics I can share of our carb loading and chocolate chugging! and will try to get to it asap!

I am soooo looking forward to meeting so many cupcakes next year at W&D!

 

[momabaarjo]

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon 2015…It’s Time
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With run plan in place Amy and I said goodbye to Betsy as our corral advanced to the starting line and soon it was our fireworks going off. I had been planning these 13.1 miles in my head for the last year…and what happened WAS NOT what I had envisioned. Hence why I am not going to do a play by play of the PHM, instead just share pictures! Yes I had the fun, the laughter, the running down Main Street and through the castle…

Bathroom issues...never had those before on my long training days...ugh!


Never noticed the Queen actually photo bombing my photo bomb!




Loved this sign as I rounded to corner to Mainstreet​

 

[momabaarjo]

Beauty & the Beast was playing as I walked down Main Street with tears...such an incredible feeling and moment!


We just thought the men's restroom would be faster...so did everyone else!


Felt like rock stars thanks to BBB CMs running through castle...they cheered on the stepsisters!


My favorite picture of the race...yes, I am buying it!

But I also had heartbreak, frustration, tears, moments of despair, emptiness and times where I wanted to just to quit (although I knew that I could do this had circumstances not happened)!

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[momabaarjo]

Somehow I managed to pull through all those moments and finish what I had started 12 months ago.

Mile 12 tears...thanks Peggy Sue for always being there!


So true...how did they know?




I look like I am being taken into custody...I am DONE! So not jazz-er-it spazz-er-it hands...​

The finish of the race was very anticlimactic for me as I made my way through the maze of people only thinking of one thing, to get on the bus and just be done with the whole thing. I did not even stop to take any finish pictures with my medal. Someone above knew how bad of a time I was having and placed Buffy right in my path! Words still cannot express to her what it meant to me to have her there at that very moment. Together we made our way back to AKL and me to…

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As I sat in the ice cold water and then the steaming out bath, I decided to let the race go, just like Elsa and pulled myself back together as best as I could because there were Cupcakes, cupcakes, and cocktails waiting.

 

[momabaarjo]

Race day! Love your pre race photos. So cool you had someone on the big screen. The walk to the corrals is always crazy. I'm running my first disney half in January so I can't wait to hear how yours went.

We kept saying....there's Gretchen every time her picture came up in the loop! Congrats on your first half...you will love it! Disney certainly is the best place to do one if you aren't too worried about lots of people and PRing!

That walk to the corrals is a doozy! I wonder how far of a walk it is by the time you exit the bus & eventually get to your corral...seems like a million miles.

Overrated donut holes?? That makes me sad for the zeppoles. Maybe I don't need to try them afterall. Gotta save room for all the bread puddings lol.

Yes overrated Donut holes sum it up perfectly...

I love the group picture!

I've heard so much about the walk to the corrals ... I think that's the one thing I'm not nervous about. Probably because I have to walk 10-15 minutes to get to the park where I run, so it's no big deal for me ... although I'm sure its worse at obscene hour of the morning. I loved that for the 5K the corrals were right there.

Almost time for the race ... I'm really excited to read all about it!

I really did not mind the walk other than it was to FRICKIN QUIET...I felt like we were being lead to the slaughter! And really once you were on the bus to the race you don't realize the time. We were wide awake with energy and excitement!

I am so far behind with the DIS'ing. And your updates made me smile- how much fun we had at Via Napoli!

I can not wait to get back and vacation with all the cupcakes! Even if I feel I will never run distances again- I am still super excited about meeting up for another great vacay!

You will run again...but never on AGAIN on an indoor track. And you know you can always hang out with me...I am so ready for another trip with the cupcakes...ONLY 534 more days!

Ahhh! You are so far ahead of us b/c the Tweedles have been total slackers! Boo Tweedles! This makes me want to catch up but I'm not sure when I will. Petsitting is slammed right now with schools all getting out and people heading out of town. Your reports made me miss you all over again! OMG, my face when you took my pic with the Italian boy! I had NO CLUE what was going on! NOW who's the clueless Tweedle?!?!

I have lots more pics I can share of our carb loading and chocolate chugging! and will try to get to it asap!

Not slackers...I am not sure why I am forging fast through this TR. I can't start a PTR until November...what will I do? I should be working...I am slammed with end of year reports, trying to get summer school together, and high school graduation...this is my outlet.

I am soooo looking forward to meeting so many cupcakes next year at W&D!

SO READY TO HAVE YOU IN THE MIX

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Knowing what you told me about PHM, I wasn't sure how you would write this post. I think this was a good way to do it, through pictures.

Ready to take over W&D with you & the cupcakes!

 

[jdd]

I decided to let the race go, just like Elsa and pulled myself back together as best as I could because there were Cupcakes, cupcakes, and cocktails waiting.

I don't post much (though I've been reading along faithfully!), but I had to comment here. My PHM actually went very well, but I just did a half here in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, and it was bad. Without getting into details, I'll just say I was VERY close to tears near the end. The two women I had been training with, on the other hand, had fantastic races and both achieved PRs in that race! I really needed to put it behind me and be able to celebrate for them. So, I know how you felt and what strength of mind it takes to pull yourself up and face the world with a smile. Hang in there - from what people have told me since, everyone has a bad race here or there, but don't give up!!!!

 

[momabaarjo]

Knowing what you told me about PHM, I wasn't sure how you would write this post. I think this was a good way to do it, through pictures.

Ready to take over W&D with you & the cupcakes!

I really struggled with how to do this...thank you! I am SOOOOOOO ready...sure wish we were doing 2015!

I don't post much (though I've been reading along faithfully!), but I had to comment here. My PHM actually went very well, but I just did a half here in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, and it was bad. Without getting into details, I'll just say I was VERY close to tears near the end. The two women I had been training with, on the other hand, had fantastic races and both achieved PRs in that race! I really needed to put it behind me and be able to celebrate for them. So, I know how you felt and what strength of mind it takes to pull yourself up and face the world with a smile. Hang in there - from what people have told me since, everyone has a bad race here or there, but don't give up!!!!

Thank you for your kind words...looking back it was just a comedy of errors (comedy now that I can look back) totally unexpected and unplanned for. You know when you imagine for 12 months the perfect race and then it does not happen. I have not let PHM stop me...just finished half #5 in 5 months and moving towards #6 next month.

 

[momabaarjo]

Run Update:
High Mountain Half
Red River, NM​

This past weekend I took a road trip to complete Half Marathon #5 in 5 Months, actually it was just a good excuse to get out of town to our cabin the northern New Mexico mountains and open it up from the summer. I stalked the weather all week and the closer it got to race day, the weather just got worse and worse for the weekend and the night before it called for 1-3 inches and that morning the weathermen were right for a change. As I made the drive from our cabin over the mountain pass I was thankful that I went ahead and dressed in layers. For those that know me, I DETEST LAYERS...I get hot and I refuse to throw clothes on the side of the road...actually I hate losing time for having to "undress" mid race. I was a little early so I decided to drive the race route (a road leading back up into the "high country")...I knew the road well because we drive it quite a bit in the summer but I have never paid attention to the actual road with a runner's eye...OH MY. I just about decided that I should throw in the towel before I even started, between the weather, elevation, and the ascend of 1000 feet in less than 2 miles (TALK ABOUT SOME HILLS, I WILL SHOW YOU HILLS)) that I was going to experience...I was not sure that I was up to the challenge. But I am stubborn, I had already paid and I wanted "bragging" rights to half #5 (plus that goal of 12 in 12)...I sucked it up cupcake! There were about 50 runners doing the half and over 100 for the 5K at the starting line...I knew that I was going to be the last one regardless so I embraced my inner turtle and finally let go of the fear of being last. My goal was just to finish this half in the 4 hour time frame allowed (along the way I sat my goal as finishing under a 17 mm pace). The first 2 miles were pretty flat so I maintained my intervals planned but then the climb begin I decided walking was just fine. And what a beautiful walk it was...

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Yes it snowed probably 80% of the time, especially as you got into the higher elevations. The volunteers on the course were awesome to this Caboose, encouraging me along the way and staying out there until I passed their station...even though it was cold and I was a good 15 minutes behind the person in front of me. The course was out and back, thinking that the back part would be easier because most of it was down hill was a mistake...tired legs for the climb and then trying to run downhill are not a good combination! I did what I could and just continued to embrace being the caboose...the only thing that through me off was being continually checked on by the course car and ambulance. LOL! I finished...I knew I would...stubborn person that I am with a time that was under the goal I sat! Pretty amazing because I walked 11 miles of the half! This was awesome training for next months half...

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And of course I celebrated back at the cabin with a little moscato and a vanilla cupcake!

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Then my husband treated me to a dinner New Mexico style with an Indian Taco and Green Chile...

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[debrapagliasotti]

So proud of you on your hilly half last weekend! Glad to hear the volunteers were awesome & supporting everyone.

 

[jdd]

I have not let PHM stop me...just finished half #5 in 5 months and moving towards #6 next month.

Fantastic! Great job! And I love that wine glass - I didn't see that in February and wish I had!!

 

[SarahDisney]

I love all of the race pictures!

Having never done a long race, I can't even imagine how frustrating it must be when things don't go as planned and you hit rough patches in the race. But I'm very impressed that you kept going and finished the race. Congrats!

And congrats on finishing the snowy half last weekend!

 

[rteetz]

Great race photos! Looks like you guys had a fantastic time! Things may not always go as planned but as long as you had a good time that's all that matters. I can't wait for January when I run my first half. Congrats on your fifth!

 

[momabaarjo]

Running Was Not the Only Adventure of the Day
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After I hauled my sore body out of the shower and changed it was time to meet up with a few other Cupcakes (Edie, Buffy, Megan and Andreah) for our first stop on our celebration afternoon, lunch at Sanaa. Luckily for us a shuttle was waiting when we reached the lobby, driven by a young lady from Oklahoma State University…she and Amy had a great chat on the quick trip to Kidani Village.

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Upon arrival we made our way to the lobby when I had a bit of a panic attack. Where was my phone? I instantly turned back around before the shuttle could leave, actually stopping it for a seat search. A wonderful CM called my cell phone (which is always on silent, mind you) after we had no luck in the seat…no buzzing sound so I sent the shuttle on its way, knowing that it must be back in the room which would make a long hike after lunch before we could continue on our celebration afternoon.

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Focusing my attention back on Kidani Village, I found it to be impressive just like Jambo house. The décor is so inviting and welcoming! I wish I would have felt better so that I would have enjoyed it even more…but my body needed food and a place to sit down so we made our way to

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Where we were greeted and quickly escorted to our table, which was the only thing quick, the rest of the meal. Grateful to be sitting again, it was time to get the celebration going!

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So I ordered a Kande Coconut Cooler (Starr African Rum, Coconut, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Orange Juice) while Cammy had the Malawi Mango Margarita (Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur, Mango Purée, and Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice). I honestly don’t know what everyone else had, but I know we all had something…I see a chocolate lemur drink behind mine! For the record Cammy had 2 drinks to my 1.