Running to the Twilight Zone - Pre Trip Report Updated 7/26

[Love2Run]

This is my first pre-trip report, but I was thinking I will start out with the pre-trip report so I can learn the ins and outs (like how to do a table of contents or insert a picture) before I do my first trip report.

So I guess I should start with the details:

When: Sept 28, 2012 to Oct 2, 2012 A short 4 night trip

Where: Walt Disney World, Bay Lake Tower

Who: Me, Kelly, 26 but will be 27 then

Dad, Goofy, 50ish

Mom, Minnie, 50ish

Why: Tower of Terror 10 miler, was supposed to be for the Wine and Dine ½ Marathon but Disney did the whole switch-a- ru surprise on me, moving the Wine and Dine to a different time of the fall and adding a new race in the weekend Wine and Dine should have been. Since we already had our DVC room booked for that weekend I decided a 10 miler inaugural race would be nice. 3 less miles . . . same amount of Disney . . . works for me! Just kidding I love the running and was disappointed that they switched the dates around but now I’m excited because I think the after party in Hollywood Studios will be amazing.

Some back ground:
I love Disney! I found the Dis about 2 or 2 ½ years ago. Found the pod- cast first, then started looking at the boards, then started posting on the boards a little and now my love of Disney might have turned into a slight obsession, thanks to all of you. It was so amazing for me to see that there were thousands of Disney lovers out there just like me.

My adult love for Disney really took off when I trained for and ran my first Marathon in Disney 2010. It was a life changing experience in more ways than one. It was the first time I had been to Disney since 2004, I transformed my life from being sedentary to active, and it gave me something to look forward to every January. After running 2 Marathons I realized I wanted to try the other Disney Races, so in 2011 I did the Wine and Dine ½ Marathon. It was a great trip, only 3 nights and I went with my parents. It was the first time we stayed at DVC, we joined in 2011, and it was my first time going to the park by myself. I was wired and ready to go but my parents wanted a relaxing long weekend, so instead of barking at them to hurry up I though hmmm… I’ll just go by myself…and they can meet up with me later. It’s a win win. That was a wonderful morning for me. I went to Hollywood studios, rode Toy Story Mania, Tower or Terror twice, Star Wars and Rocking Rollercoaster, went to Animal Kingdom and rode, Expedition Everest and the Safari and then made it to EPCOT all before Lunch. Then my parents met up with me and we spent a nice relaxing afternoon and evening in EPCOT. It was so liberating being in Disney with just myself, I could do what I wanted, when I wanted and enjoy noticing all the details. I loved it. Don’t get me wrong I love being in Disney with my family, but for the one morning to myself it was nice. (In January we take a huge group with us, Me, Goofy, Minnie, my BF, 31, his son, 2 ½, my brother, 30, and his GF 25 so I get my fix of family Disney time, and love every minute of it)

Just a few pictures.

Current Trip Prep:
Right now in preparation for the trip I am training. I ran 7 miles on Sunday and will being running 8 next Sunday.

One of the very positive things about moving to Maine. Nothing beats being able to train with a view like this. Not to mention getting to be close to my BF, who is stationed here for the Navy and his adorable son.

My goal for this run is to finish in under 95 minutes, or a 9:30 pace. I wanted to run it faster but because of some huge life changes, moving across the country to rural Maine, and injuries, my training is behind. I plan on re-evaluating the goal in a month and to alter the time depending on how I’m doing. I hoping I can lower my goal time.

As I’m finalize the trip plans what suggestions do you have for our trip. What is a “must do” with 3 adults in the World? I would love to hear your ideas

Up next: Day to day plans and more details about my training plan​

 

[Love2Run]

Table of Contents

The Nuts and Bolts of the Trip
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[mommys3]

I'm in Would love to do a 1/2 marathon (especially at WDW!) one day

 

[Disneychix]

We are running the TOT too!
Can't believe it's getting close to only 2 months away

You will be WAY faster than us though-please have some food and beverage ready for me at the end

 

[tangled up]

Great start, subscribing xx

 

[Love2Run]

I'm in Would love to do a 1/2 marathon (especially at WDW!) one day

That is a great goal! Here is a awesome video about the Disney 1/2 marathon to get you in the spirit Disney 1/2 Marathon - All along the route

We are running the TOT too!
Can't believe it's getting close to only 2 months away

You will be WAY faster than us though-please have some food and beverage ready for me at the end

I know it came up so fast! I really need to start being consistent with my training. Taking off the last 3 days probably wasn't a good idea...

Great start, subscribing xx

Thanks

 

[mommys3]

That is a great goal! Here is a awesome video about the Disney 1/2 marathon to get you in the spirit Disney 1/2 Marathon - All along the route

Thank you the link! So motivating...even brought a tear to my eye!

 

[Love2Run]

Here come all the planning details!

Wow has this been more work than I anticipated. I worked on finalizing everything today and I could not believe how much trouble I had determining our touring plan. I mean come on I have been to the world so many times you would think I’d have it down. It seems like the more time I spend on the Dis the harder it is to make decisions because I get over whelmed with all the idea’s you all share.

My first dilemma was determining how many days we would spend in the park. We are arriving on a Friday and Leaving on a Tuesday with the race being Saturday. That really only leaves two full days of going to the park, but then I had to decide of we would go part of the day on Friday or maybe Saturday . . . decisions, decisions. 2 day park hopper or 3?!? I mean I know I want 3, but is that practical.

While contemplating what to do I got the greatest call in the world. My mom called and while discussing the trip she said, “Hey why don’t we just get annual passes then we don’t have to worry.”

Ok I just love these pins! I’m new to the whole pin thing and still not sure if I’ll get into trading.

It was music to my ears. Being DVC members we get the Florida discount price for the annual pass so the cost made sense if we go to Disney multiple times a year. This made my planning infinitely easier.

Second dilemma, deciding where to eat. I struggled with this because we always eat at the same places. California Grill, 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, Germany and Mexico (Ok I know they have real names but that's what we have always called them... sorry I'm to lazy to look up their real names right now). I couldn't decide . . . try new places or stick with what we know and love. After much debate I decided to go with new. I am always reading about restaurants I've never been to and would love to try so i decided to challenge myself with only eating at places I have never tried. (Except for counter service, which I have eaten at almost every option in the parks) I made reservations for Kona, Narcoossee's, and Les Chef Des France. I'm not sure if I will keep the Les Chef Des France yet because we may decided to just eat at the kiosks for the Food and Wine. Or hey maybe we will just stuff ourselves and do both.

This was making out to be a fun trip.

Here is what I've come up with.

So far it’s just a rough outline but I don’t like to over plan. I am a little sad that I won’t be making it to Animal Kingdom. I’m thinking that I may have to try to squeeze it in on Sunday but I’ll play that by ear. It will depend on how long I want to sleep in. . . . (If the past is any indication, I will be at Animal Kingdom bright and early)

Ok, ok now here’s the plan for the whole reason were taking the trip. My Training Plan! I love to make training plans. It passes as a training plan but we all know what it really is. My countdown to Disney! Just a more adult acceptable one. I tell you I have to get creative about my Disney obsession so I don’t get made fun of by my family ALL the time. I girl can only take so much.

This week I have slacked. I don’t know why. I really need to get back on track if I’m going reach my goal.

Something I am very excited about is my race outfit. I don’t know why but I always have so much fun picking out what I am going to wear.

(Hopefully I will be posting a picture of me in the outfit next time you see it in the PTR)

While also training for the race I am trying to lose 20 lbs. I bought the outfit at the size I will be when I’m 20 lbs down . . . .will it fit on race day? You will have to stick around to find out.

Here's my outfit for the last marathon. I was in a skirt and short sleeve shirt by the end of the race but it was VERY VERY cold in the morning. 3 am is cold!!! (even in Florida, in January)

Up next: To pin trade or not to pin trade

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