*Racing's in my Code* - A runDisney/PHM 2015 PTR

[leholcomb]

Well, here it is! My first Pre-Trip Report!

So I have decided to do something crazy and run my first half marathon! Where better to take on such a feat than WDW! Princess Half Marathon here I come! In addition to the race, I am also hoping to turn this into an epic girl’s trip as well with my mom, aunt, 15 y.o. cousin and two best friends accompanying me.

I hope you enjoy my crazy planning stories and training experiences over the next few months!

 

[leholcomb]

1. Introduction
2. Cast of Characters
3. The Initial Plan of Attack
4. What Characters are the Characters?
5. Itinerary - As of 1/8/15
6. 4 Weeks To Go!
7. 2 Weeks and Counting!

 

[leholcomb]

First off, an introduction of myself, my Disney history and my running accomplishments thus far!



Yep, that’s me! The one on the right that is… At 25 years old, I recently picked up and moved 6 hours out of my comfort zone and away from my family to North Carolina. I am the Environmental, Health and Safety Manager at a small manufacturing facility. Not exactly where I thought my Conservation Biology degree would take me, but here I am! Did I pick up and move all by myself you ask? Of course not! I had to bring my two fur babies with me.





My sweet kitty Comet is around 9 years old now and is the sweetest kitty you have ever met! She has turned even the strongest dog people to the dark side. She has never met a stranger.







The baby of the family is Miss Sadie Ann. I adopted her on my 25th birthday this year and she has brought so much joy into my life. Granted, she can be stubborn, bratty and downright irritating but I wouldn’t change my decision for the world. And neither would Comet….





Next, my love for Disney. Isn’t that why we are all here? For me, it all started with a mermaid and a little one at that. At 1.5 years old, I had the entire movie memorized when it came out on VHS. Next, my first theatrical film, 101 Dalmatians. We took our first family vacation to the World in 1999 when I was 10 years old. We checked into All-Star Movies (my parents believed this would be our only trip to the World so decided to “go all out” by staying on property. ) and I was in awe at how our CM treated us like family. I pulled on my mother’s sleeve and whispered, “I’m going to work here one day.” Fast forward 10 years and 10 Disney vacations later, and I was attending Traditions as part of the Disney College Program. During my time as a Cast Member, my love for the company grew more than I would have anticipated. Now as a Stock Holder, Disney Visa Holder, Tables in Wonderland Member and an Annual Passholder, I take more trips to WDW than the average person in their mid-20s.









Now for the running aspect of my life. I ran my first 5k in September of 2011. Looking back it was a horrible course and no wonder I hated running it. Needless to say, that is not when my love of racing started. Notice I said “racing”. Running is not the reason I put on my shoes in the morning. It is the competition of it. Not necessarily competition with others, but competition with myself. I need to PR every time I run. Do I always do it? No. But the intent is there. A year and a half later, I found that love and have been going ever since.

My first runDisney race was in November of last year with the Jingle Jungle 5K. It was there I was bitten and spoiled by the runDisney bug.


After I returned and got the holidays out of the way, I jumped on the runDisney website to see what else was out there. That is when I found the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. I registered the day it opened and was already absolutely terrified. I talked my friends into doing the Happy Haunted 5K with me that morning as well. Between the time I registered and the time I ran, I had moved states. Training was essentially non-existent. I did no running between Jun 30 and race day on Oct 4th. I was absolutely terrified (at this point I had already signed up for the PHM so knew I had to finish). Overall, the 5K was a breeze and the 10 Miler was great. I finished with a time of 2:13:00, perfectly acceptable for someone who didn’t train. Of course I felt like I had been hit by a truck the next few days so I definitely am aiming to do better for PHM.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I hopped over.
I like your vinylmation tank top.

 

[SarahDisney]

I caught the link on the PHM thread so I figured I'd stop by.

I love your race pic with Chip n Dale! They're two of my favorite characters.

I'm looking forward to reading about your planning & training!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Subbing I love your PTR title! I ran my first 5K a few weeks ago and I am already eying the 2016 PHM

 

[Chaitali]

I saw your post on the Tower of Terror 10 miler thread and am joining in I'm thinking of Wine & Dine half next year and maybe PHM with some girlfriends in 2016.

 

[jdd]

Subbing!! Have to get to work, but I'll be back to read later

 

[blabbermouth]

I'm in too! I'll be running the PHM as my first half too Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your plans!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Yay! More runDisney trip/pre-trip reports!

 

[3tiggerstoo]

Loved your intro! Can't wait to hear more of your preparation. I'm also running the PHM for the first time (3rd Disney half, but the other two were both Wine and Dine Half). Love Disney races and girls' weekends!! Should be a great weekend for everyone.

 

[leholcomb]

Of course you met me up above but here I am again.

​

- Me, Lauren​

My Mom is as much of a Disney Addict as I am. We have started taking Mother-Daughter trips each year in addition to family vacation so she can get her fix. She may be upgrading to an Annual Pass soon as well

​

– Mom, Robin​

My aunt by way of my mother. These two cannot be more different, but it seems to work. She and her husband took my cousin to Disney World for the first time when she was around 3 years old. We helped them plan but they executed the plan poorly, did not find any magic and vowed they would not go back. We talked them into going with us right before my CP in 2009. They didn’t fall in love but did have a good time. Good enough to take a F&W/MNSSHP girl’s trip the next year and for the whole family tack on a few days with us last year as well.

– Aunt, Cindy​

The baby of the group would be my cousin. Now a sophomore in high school, she thankfully hasn’t “gotten too old for Disney” like so many other teenagers. Anytime I mention going back, she always gets excited and wants to go with. She runs cross country and also jumps hurdles. I’m pretty sure she will smoke me if she ever gets the chance.

– Cousin, Lindsay​

This lady is my longest and dearest friend. We have been best friends since 7th grade. While our lives continue to change we remain close and can always pick up and start where we left off. I always talk about the Disney magic and want her to feel it as well. I am essentially planning this trip around her and hope it lives up to the hype surrounding it.

– Best Friend, Amanda​

I bonded with this chick while on my DCP. One of my former roommates, we didn’t get super close until the last few weeks of my program. Horrible timing but we have since made up for it. Flying or driving across multiple states (she has lived in Nebraska and Indiana) just to see each other for a few days. Over the past five years we have gone to football games, taken numerous trips including New Orleans and even saw each other graduate from college.

– Best Friend, Lindsey​

 

[leholcomb]

I decided to sign up for the Princess the moment I got confirmation for TOT. I said to myself, “If I’m gonna run ten miles, why not add another 3.1?” At the time I was in amazing shape. The best shape I had been in since high school. I was running three days a week and worked weights on the other three leaving one day to rest. I felt awesome. I had gotten a discount gym membership through work and had added my Mom to the plan. She has never been overly active (as in, not at all). She started working with a personal trainer. I told her that if she kept working, I would pay for her to run the Princess Weekend 5K and I would run with her at her pace. That is when the whole plan started.

We booked our accommodations in April (more on that later). A full 3 months before registration opened. We always get excited about planning. Then, in July, it was time to sign on the dotted line.

I took a new job in North Carolina and started on Jun 30. AP registration opened on July 9th. I was ready to go. When the clock struck 12, I logged on and signed myself up ½ and then both of us for the 5k. It was official, we were doing it.

During the week that followed, we talked about how awesome it would be to have my aunt and cousin go with us. Then I thought about my best friend back home in Tennessee who I would run 5Ks with. She has never been on a true trip to the World (just a quick day trip a few years back) so I decided I wanted her to go to. My other best friend (who I met during my DCP and is in all my pics above) moved down to FL in May. So I also decided that I wanted her to run too! *Notice I am making plans for all these people without their knowledge* I called them all within the week and couldn’t get a commitment out of anyone. “During school time.” “So close to the holidays.” “I may not can get off work.” Blah blah blah. So I decided to wait until GP registration opened. I figured if it was meant to be, I would be able to sign all four of them up without issue that day. So July 15th came around and social media was abuzz with so many people waiting to register. I too was sitting at the computer watched time tick away. AND THEN, the new boss comes in and wants to take me to lunch. My heart sinks. I know I can’t blow him off so I go. While at lunch, I notice how time seems to be going by faster now that I am not at the computer. I return to my desk at 12:45. I immediately pull up runDisney, Active.com and Facebook (of course). I first notice that runDisney had posted 2 photos. One saying “Yay, registration is open!” the next saying “We are sorry for the inconvenience, use this new link to register.” Apparently there were technical difficulties with registration while I was out to lunch and I got to skip all of that hassle! I went to the link and successfully signed up all four ladies for the 5K.

While I did not get true commitments from any of them, I believe in the magic of pixie dust and know it will all come together and work out.

 

[Chaitali]

That's awesome that you signed everyone up! More incentive for them to just do it It's hard because the races fill up so far in advance and you just have to pull the trigger.

 

[leholcomb]

I hopped over.
I like your vinylmation tank top.

Thanks! I got it off Etsy. Christmas themed with animal print outline. Perfect for the occasion.

I caught the link on the PHM thread so I figured I'd stop by.

I love your race pic with Chip n Dale! They're two of my favorite characters.

I'm looking forward to reading about your planning & training!

Thanks! It was one of my favorite meets on the course.

Subbing I love your PTR title! I ran my first 5K a few weeks ago and I am already eying the 2016 PHM

Go for it! You won't regret it!

I saw your post on the Tower of Terror 10 miler thread and am joining in I'm thinking of Wine & Dine half next year and maybe PHM with some girlfriends in 2016.

I'm toying with 2015 W&D as well. If I don't go to the D23 expo I may tie it in to my annual F&W trip...

Subbing!! Have to get to work, but I'll be back to read later

Good to have you!

I'm in too! I'll be running the PHM as my first half too Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your plans!

How exciting! We can do this!

Yay! More runDisney trip/pre-trip reports!

Yay! Good to have you!

Loved your intro! Can't wait to hear more of your preparation. I'm also running the PHM for the first time (3rd Disney half, but the other two were both Wine and Dine Half). Love Disney races and girls' weekends!! Should be a great weekend for everyone.

Thanks! I can't wait!

 

[leholcomb]

One of the best parts about a Disney race is the costuming. For my first Jingle Jungle in 2013, I had no idea race costuming was a thing. I just dressed up in a Christmas-esque outfit to be fun and different. I didn’t expect there to be full out costumes. When the TOT came around, I knew I had to do something. However, I have no talent when it comes to sewing or the like. So basically I bought a shirt and made a capelike attachment using fabric glue. That was it. Now for this race, I am “going all out”. By that, I mean I have enlisted the help of some very talented people on Etsy to make me what I need.

I have decided on Vanellope von Schweetz from Wreck It Ralph for both races (after all, she was a princess before becoming president). For the 5K, I am going as her short lived but adorable princess version. I figure I would rather wear a tutu for 3 miles as opposed to 13. Tutu and accessories are coming from Etsy while I will attempt the shirt.



For the half, I will run in her racer outfit. All from Etsy.



My mom is doing Pocahontas. Like me, the tutu is from Etsy and the top and accessories she will attempt herself.



My aunt Cindy has decided on Cinderella (pre makeover) and Lindsay has gone with Rapunzel. Unlike my mother and myself, Cindy is very skilled with the sewing machine and will be creating hers and my cousins from base layers.





Originally, Amanda was thinking about Minnie Mouse. I believe mostly because it is easy and not too farfetched. However, after showing her past costumes, she saw that we will not look out of place with semi-elaborate costumes. She has settled on Aurora. She also has sewing skills and will be attempting a pink/blue costume.





And finally, Lindsey will be attempting Princess Eilonwy from The Black Cauldron (yes, that movie does actually exist). She is piecing it together herself and I will not see the final product until race day.

 

[Chaitali]

Very cool assortment of characters! I went with a Vanellope running costume from Etsy for the Tower of Terror 10 miler. I was flagging at one point and one of the volunteers yelled over "Vanellope, you just need a sugar rush!" I love all the cute comments that can come with wearing costumes

 

[leholcomb]

We are a little over a month away and our itinerary has changed quite a bit since we began planning back in April. Here is our current schedule:

February 19th
Check-in at Old Key West
Head to Expo to pick up packets
Dinner TBD

February 20th
5K Race @ 6:15AM
Breakfast @ Akershus immediately following the race
Day at EPCOT
Dinner at San Angel Inn and dessert at Beaches and Cream

February 21st
Day at Magic Kingdom
Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Wishes Dessert Party

February 22nd
Princess Half Marathon @ 5:30AM
Day at Animal Kingdom
Lunch at Tusker House
Dinner at California Grill

February 23rd
Breakfast at Olivia’s
Depart for home

I am going to be worthless at work that next week…

 

[leholcomb]

Very cool assortment of characters! I went with a Vanellope running costume from Etsy for the Tower of Terror 10 miler. I was flagging at one point and one of the volunteers yelled over "Vanellope, you just need a sugar rush!" I love all the cute comments that can come with wearing costumes

Thanks! At first we were hoping to just do obscure princesses but not everyone could be persuaded... lol

 

[SarahDisney]

I definitely think a tutu will be easier for 3 miles - I don't know how people wear them for the long races! I love that you're doing Vanellope for both races (after all, racing is in your code!)

Everyone else's costume choices sound fun, too!

I like that you're doing a breakfast at Akershus right after the race - will everyone still be wearing their costumes? I think it'll be a really nice experience for Princess weekend (with or without costumes). The rest of the plans look good too - you've got some nice ADRs! Although the Wishes Dessert party may be a little late if you have to get up super early the next day ... but if you think you can do it, I'm sure you can!