Supervising children ages 2 to 72 while running a Half Marathon! *update 3/5*

[DrMomof3]

Just got back last night from our Marathon Weekend trip to Disney!!!

Cast of Characters:
Amanda (me!) 39 year old mom of 3. I work full-time as a physician and I just ran my 1st race ever - the Disney Half Marathon!
Tom 41 year old DH. Also a physician. Hoping to walk/run the half marathon next year!
Nathaniel almost 7 year old. 1st grader. Star Wars freak. Lego fanatic. Fabulous artist. Play violin, soccer, and baseball. Prodigy in training!
Jessica aka The Diva. Almost 5 years old. In Pre-K. Loves ballet, drama, Hannah Montana, princesses. Wants to be a Rock Star when she grows up.
Zachary age 2 1/2. This child could charm anyone! He has some motor delays and wears orthotics but you'd never know. Sweet, lovable, loads of fun.
Nana My 72 year old mother. Ex-smoker with chronic lung disease.
Popsie My 65 year old step-dad. Patience of a saint!

Location:
Polynesian Resort. Concierge. Hawaii Building

Dates:
January 6-10, 2011

More to follow!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

My parents with Zachary

Tom with Jessica and Nathaniel

Me (wearing glasses) with the kids on Christmas morning.

Amanda

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Subscribing.

 

[natebenma]

I'm in, Amanda!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

Subscribing.

Welcome Amy!

I'm in, Amanda!!!

Thanks Dee!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I'll go back and put some pics in later. Right now I'm doing this from my iPad while I put kids to sleep. I'm still limited in what I can do from the iPad!

Background
We're big Disney fans. I probably went to Disney at least twice as a child. Always stayed off-property. This was back in the late 1970's, before even Epcot was built. My 1st adult trip was in January 2008 when I was pregnant with Zachary. This was my 6th trip since then. Nathaniel and Jessica have been to WDW 5 times and DL once. Zachary has been 4 times (not counting in utero).
In my pre-adult life I was an athlete. I started competing in gymnastics around age 6 and stopped during my freshman year of college. I graduated high school with 9 varsity letters - 4 in gymnastics, 3 in soccer, and 2 in lacrosse. I also grew up racing small sailboats and raced in college. And then I went to med school, started a surgical residency, got married, and had 3 kids. I have started running several times during those years but never stuck with it. During my fertility treatments my doctor wanted me to limit heavy activity and I had 3 c-sections. I started the C25K (couch to 5k) program several times and always had an excuse why I didn't have time to finish.
Last January I made a commitment to finish the C25K. I was limping along the program (not literally) and barely doing one work-out per week. I needed a major push to motivate me to do better!

Posting for now...

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Background cont...

Last January was also when I discovered the Disboards. I'm not sure how it took me 2 years and 3 trips to Disney to discover this place but somehow that's what happened. In February we lost power for 5 days in a wild storm and got stuck at my MIL's house. I was playing on the disboards one night and started reading about Carissa signing up for the 1/2 marathon (yes, I need to credit her as my inspiration). It sounded so awesome and I thought it would provide the motivation that I needed. I talked to my DH and we both decided to register. (He didn't end up running.) my MIL leant us her (unused) treadmill for training so I could run at home on the weekends.

My training was never "ideal." I work pretty long hours and spend the weekend driving kids to activities. Almost all of my runs were on a treadmill using a 4.5 pace for runs and 4.0 for walks. In fact I did my 1st (and only) outdoor run the Sunday before the race (and learned that I was under-pacing myself on the treadmill). My long runs were done on Saturday mornings while my DH took Nathaniel to Hebrew School and I stayed home with the younger 2. I had to finish running in time to shower and leave by 10:30am for Jessica's ballet class. The kids watched Disney on Demand while I ran. Iwasscheduled for a 5K in November but had to cancel when I got the opportunity to fly to London for the Worl Premier of Harry Potter.

So going into the trip I was excited and nervous. I was worried about being too slow or starting too fast and running out of steam. I didn't know how to pace myself outdoors (I bought a stop watch but I don't have a Garmin). And I didn't know how any of the logistics of a race worked - bag checks, bathrooms, water stations, etc. And my DH gave up his training due to joint pain so I was going to be alone on race day.

On top of my race nearves, I was in charge of planning a trip for 7 people. Actually 8 people since my step-sister joined us mid-trip. Her annual convention is in Orlando starting Monday after marathon weekend. I didn't know which meals my sister would be with us. I couldn't get an opinion about anything from anyone - hotels, parks, meals, etc. "You know best!" so I was also worried about being held responsible for everyone's good time.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I got a great deal on airfare out of LaGuardia on Delta. LGA is the perfect choice for a trip with my parents because they live on Long Island and we live in Westchester County. LGA is about the mid-point. Tom and I were up at 4am. The kids woke up not long thereafter. Our car service was picking us up at 5am. Through some miracle we were on the road by 4:55am. Five minutes ahead of schedule. We met my parents at curbside check-in, applied the DME tags to our luggage, and checked-in. Next stop: security.

We've traveled a fair amount with the children (5 trips to Disney!) so we know how to do security. Or so I thought. Our experience at LGA was awful. Really, really awful. The lady from the TSA was screaming at us for taking too long. Listen lady, I need to remove my son's shoes and then his orthotics. I need to take out my baggie of liquids since 2 of my 3 kids are being treated for ear infections. I need to take out my iPad. These are YOUR rules that I'm following. I have TWO strollers and THREE children under the age of 7. That takes time. I was livid by the time we were through security. I think a TSA guy took pity on me and helped set up one of the strollers. This experience was in stark contrast to the wonderful experience I had last August in Islip flying alone with the 3 kids....

Once through security we had time to buy coffee and donuts and then we were pre-boarded. Nathaniel sat in the window seat with my parents. Jessica in the window seat in my row with Zachary next to her. And lucky Tom sat across the aisle from me. The man sitting behind me was running the Goofy (he's done all of them so far) and the woman across the aisle from him was running the half (although she ended up changing seats since the plane was not full). Tom ended up with 2 empty seats next to him! The flight was uneventful and we landed on time.

I know I said I used DME tags but we decided to use a car service to the hotel. I know this isn't completely kosher but my non-DISer husband insisted it would be ok (I knew from here that it would be ok, too). We used FL Tours (official sponsor of the DIS) and they were awesome! The driver was already checking baggage tags to see if he could find our bags (there were none). He brought this nice luxury van to the curb and got us loaded up (complete with a car seat and 2 booster seats + a DVD player with a kids' movie playing). We did a quick grocery stop and headed over to the Poly.

Amanda

 

[cdotla]

Hey Amanda!

I am so looking forward to your trip report! Can't wait to hear all about it, especially the run! So proud of you for doing it!!!

You are off to a great start....can't wait for more!

 

[Twingle]

Awesome on you for doing the half! Can't wait to hear more about it

 

[DrMomof3]

Hey Amanda!

I am so looking forward to your trip report! Can't wait to hear all about it, especially the run! So proud of you for doing it!!!

You are off to a great start....can't wait for more!

Thank you! It was great!!!

Awesome on you for doing the half! Can't wait to hear more about it

Welcome and thank you!

Amanda

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!
Can't wait to read more about the half marathon.

 

[DrMomof3]

We'd stayed at the Poly in January 2008 before we were "experts." We'd had a good stay but I'd read some mixed reviews of the Poly recently. Upon arrival we went to the Club Level check-in desk which is outside the front door. We re-organized our carry-on bags and left as much as possible with bell services. A nice man then drove us to the Hawaii building in a golf cart. With 7 of us it was a little squishy but we got there quickly.

My mom and I had both done online check-in but that didn't seem to help us with CL check-in! The older CM who was helping us was extremely slow and didn't really seem to grasp computer technology. Our rooms weren't ready (I truly believe that requesting adjoining rooms guarantees that your rooms won't be ready!). She asked if I wanted a text msg or a voice mail. I picked text msg. The computer showed our home number as our phone number and it took at least 5 minutes for her to update that. Or at least for her to claim that she updated it because I never got a text message.

For some reason she assumed we had already gotten our room keys at the front of the hotel. After spending 20 minutes with her, she finally understood that we needed our room keys. And my parents needed to buy their park tickets. This check-in process was a sign of things to come. Although we were the only ones at the CL desk, my mom was being VERY uptight about how my children were behaving. They weren't being particularly bad but they had been awake since about 4am, cooped up on a plane and in a van, and had adrenaline to burn. They were a little noisy (nothing terribly - trust me, I'm pretty strict) and a little active but nothing dangerous or outrageous. My mom was continually correcting their behavior. My DH was ready to shoot himself but took the kids outside to play on the beach. Luckily another CM grabbed pails/shovels and handed us 3 for the kids. And I was starting to sweat our 12:45pm lunch ADR at Via Napoli!

Finally we had room keys, my parents had park tickets on their room keys, and we were ready to go. (We have APs.) We stopped upstairs at the lounge to grab some snacks and drinks. A very, very kind CM grabbed some uncrustables, yogurt, and boxes of apple juice for the kids (you have to ask for them). We grabbed some bananas and diet cokes for the road.

We started the walk over to the TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot. And I was made painfully aware of my mother's age and medical condition. She was breathless before we had walked 2 minutes. The walk to TTC isn't bad if you're young and fit. It's terrible if you have chronic lung disease and just got over bronchitis. I needed to re-adjust all of my time assessments! We got over to Epcot, struggled through bag check (we had tons of crap in our bags because we still had all the stuff from the flight), and started the very long walk over to Italy. I sent Tom over to Soarin' to try to get some FPs for later that day. The return time was 4:45pm and we had 5:30pm dinner at Chef Mickey's. Instead he got 3 FPs for TestTrack and 3 FPs for Mission: Space.

Amanda

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

Woo hoo! TR time! I can't wait to read all about the race!

 

[DrMomof3]

Joining in!
Can't wait to read more about the half marathon.

Welcome Jennifer!

Woo hoo! TR time! I can't wait to read all about the race!

Thank you!

Amanda

 

[carissanboys]

Just noticed your link. I'm a little slow. Heading to bed right now, but I'll come back in the morning to get caught up.

 

[carissanboys]

Background cont...

Last January was also when I discovered the Disboards. I'm not sure how it took me 2 years and 3 trips to Disney to discover this place but somehow that's what happened. In February we lost power for 5 days in a wild storm and got stuck at my MIL's house. I was playing on the disboards one night and started reading about Carissa signing up for the 1/2 marathon (yes, I need to credit her as my inspiration). It sounded so awesome and I thought it would provide the motivation that I needed. I talked to my DH and we both decided to register. (He didn't end up running.) my MIL leant us her (unused) treadmill for training so I could run at home on the weekends.

Awwwwww. You're so sweet. I'm glad I could help motivate you as others did for me!

 

[DrMomof3]

Just noticed your link. I'm a little slow. Heading to bed right now, but I'll come back in the morning to get caught up.

I'm sure you're a little tired, too!

Awwwwww. You're so sweet. I'm glad I could help motivate you as others did for me!

Thank you!!! I'm very grateful to you!

I'm trying to upload and edit all of my pictures which is taking a while. I don't have time to update this morning before work but I'll try to get back later. The photos will be a little delayed...

Amanda

 

[DizGirl20]

Oh I am really looking forward to reading about your experience. I am strictly a treadmill walker/runner but I am trying to motivate myself to:

1. Make the move off the treadmill and get outdoors (when it gets warmer)
2. Run a 5K this Spring
3. Sign up for the 2012 Disney Half Marathon!

I have never run a 5K, let alone a HM but I figure I have almost a year to start training. Was it hard to run outside after being on the treadmill? I love your C25K acronym - I can totally relate!!!

 

[carissanboys]

I have never run a 5K, let alone a HM but I figure I have almost a year to start training. Was it hard to run outside after being on the treadmill? I love your C25K acronym - I can totally relate!!!

I know some people have an issue with it, but overall I found it much easier to run outside. I was sore the first time I did it because you use different muscles running on a treadmill vs. outside. And the downside was I started to strongly dislike running on the treadmill. Being outside is so much nicer (except when it's really hot or really cold). I also run faster outside than on the treadmill.