Twelve Months of Training and Travel

[annmarieda]

LOVE MNSSHP!!! We really enjoyed going in October and it was night and day (weather wise) compared to our September trip, so I'm sure they charge more b/c more people are willing to pay for October. It's one of my favorite times to go, I love the decorations. Can't wait to see what you choose for costumes!

I suppose you are right. I was willing to pay more.. well, more like I HAD to pay more. Not like I had much choice if I was going to go. Even with the DVC discount it was more than I paid last year or the year before. I love the decorations during fall... I just wish we were arriving just a day or two earlier so that we could have gone to a September party and saved a bit of cash. After all, there are other things I would like to do.... there are all the food and wine special events/seminars and there is a sunrise safari breakfast that I would love to do... So saving even $10 a person helps to go toward those costs should we choose to do them....

 

[annmarieda]

So I mentioned that I won't necessarily do a weekly update on my training unless there was something out of the ordinary.

Remember, kinda sort of following the "official" Run Disney training plan puts me running twice mid week for 45 minutes (where I get in roughly 5 miles) Then there is a long run (that currently is building so last week and this week I went over the miles that it suggests) eventually speed work will replace some of the "long" runs.

So given that my miles are down around 15 I figured I could use this time to try and improve my running in other ways. So this week I set out to focus on negative splits. For those who don't know, that just means you start off slow and gradually over the course of the run go faster. So mile one should be your slowest mile and each subsequent should be faster.

I learned a couple things. One is that I am closer to being able to really do this than I first thought. Two is that it isn't as easy as one might think.

There are two hard parts to this equation. Obviously going faster with each mile... but who knew that going slow that first mile would be so tough? It is HARD to do when you are use to picking a pace and staying consistent.

In the past, my runs... my good runs.. all looks like a flat line on a graph. I reach a comfortable pace early on and then maintain it. So I have trained myself to hit my average pace early on. It is what feels most comfortable. So when I go out and try and keep my pace slow enough to be able to improve it each mile... it isn't as easy as you would think.

Tuesday was my first attempt. Not too bad really.

Mile 1 - 9:06
Mile 2 - 9:05
Mile 3 - 8:53
Mile 4 - 8:54 (dd was calling repeatedly)
Mile 5 - 8:27

Finishing with an average pace of 8:53

Thursday was harder. I went out WAY too fast and by the end of the run I was struggling.

Mile 1 - 8:55
Mile 2 - 8:49
Mile 3 - 8:56 (mile three is where I see a gradual elevation change. It isnt a hill, but rather over the course of the entire mile the elevation ever slow slightly goes up about 30 or 40 feet. Not a huge change, but enough that mile three is always my biggest challenge)
Mile 4 - 8:53
Mile 5 - 8:25

So if I had not started out as fast, I might have had those negative splits.

Finished with an average pace of 8:46

Saturday was rough. I was ill the night before. Not sure if it was a slight stomach bug or too much tequila (only had two ritas) or maybe the greasy nachos. In any case the night before had been spent waking up quite often with the urge to get sick. Feeling off Saturday morning I went ahead and ran. More times than not if my stomach is off... a run will fix it. Rarely does it make it worse. Saturday was a rarely. However, I did come probably the closer to getting my negative splits than I did all week. So even if it made me feel aweful... at least there was a bright side.

Mile 1 - 9:09
Mile 2 - 8:57
Mile 3 - 8:57 (I really had to push to not have this be positive and just maintain)
Mile 4 - 8:56
Mile 5 - 8:55

ok, so in the end it really was more like a maintained speed which is most like what I have trained for... but I will take it for now. Ultimately I would like to see the pace difference between miles greater.

Finished with an average pace of 8:59

 

[annmarieda]

So I am not sure if this counts as an update to my trip plans or just a general overall rant. So I don't think I will link it to page one.

Basically, the last few days have kinda sucked.

Friday, Kira and Steve both had moments where they came to realize something and this realization caused me grief.

First there was Kira. She was tallying up how much more on the trip (beyond the airfare) she was going to need to spend. It hit her that her total with park ticket and dp is going to be substantial. It made her frustrated and angry that her cost is almost about what it was when she and Josh stayed at Pop in January. This prompted a bit of a rant regarding DVC not saving money...bla bla bla. It also prompted me to want to try and "fix it" for her. Unfortunately it is what it is and ticket prices are expensive. In fact that cost is a huge chunk of a package price. The best I could come up with was maybe purchasing through RD (which makes a 7 day ph ticket a substantially lower price than gate price) Problem is that she definitely needs more than 7 and I am almost certain upgrading a RD ticket is not an option.

Moments after I had my conversation with Kira (literally) I got a message from Steve that he needed travel dates. I gave them and instantly was met with why ???? HOW many times have we been over the dates? Well, I guess he gets 20 PTO days and he is already down to 16. (here I am ) Doing the math

ToT = 8
AHM = 2 (assuming he works both departure and arrival days)
Donald = at LEAST 3.

So this does not give him much wiggle room for any sick time. And for those just joining.. my dh has a chronic condition that has almost always causes him take some disability each year. It has been over a year since he last was out on disability though... but the running in the last year kept his condition in remission. Getting sick in January (ok, so january is what sucked up those 4 days ) caused him to stop running and with just a short run here or there since then he is out of remission again and into a full blown flare.

Obviously looking at the above numbers we have already taken steps.

For the ToT trip there is no wiggle room. We have air fare both ways... and while we could leave earlier and possibly just change the flights... it would not really save days since we leave on a saturday. (however once you read below maybe the best option would be to fly home on Thursday - but that would still only save one day assuming he went back to work on friday)

For the AHM trip, we will have to make sure that we leave after he has worked that friday (if not fly out early on saturday morning) and then we will have to drop him back off at work once we arrive back to WA after the trip on Wed. This means... just 2 rather than the original 4 that I had anticipated.

Finally in January for the donald trip (which falls in his PTO year) we will have to be creative. Currently we are booked for 1/7 to 1/14. We will have to change that to leave on 1/8. This works better for me since I always have work on wednesdays so leaving thursday will be much less stressful for me. He will have to take thursday and friday off. Travel will be thursday and Expo/recovery from the travel will be friday. The race is saturday. Sunday can be for recovery and park time. Then he will have to take monday off to travel home if not tuesday. (this takes it to 3 or 4 days off)

So my plan is at the 7 month mark to shift things a bit. cut out the night of the 7th. However, I think I will keep the check out as 1/14 for now. IF by the time I absolutely need to purchase airfare, he has not taken more sick time then I might just say 5 days works. After all, that would leave him 1 day of wiggle room. Not a lot for sure but given that May is half over... then he has to get through 4 months and we have a long trip. Then a short trip in November and then his company gives him 2 weeks off in December.. it might just work. It would just be a matter of getting through the next 4 months and then February and March. Thing is though, they let him "borrow" against his 2014 PTO days in January (hence why at his anniversary he is 4 days low) I wonder if in February or March if he were to be low again if he would be able to borrow a day or two again. Also... if he had to go back.. maybe I would just stay longer with Zoe. He knows this is a thought of mine and didn't seem to mind. However I do realize it is a bit selfish. However in my work cycle I basically work non stop for 2 weeks.. then have a slow week and then I kinda get a week off. This trip falls RIGHT on that week so I don't have to be back right away.


***So I am editing my original post. I was perhaps a bit moody/cranky/negative. No need to bore you all with that. (if you happened to catch it, my sincere apologies ) Suffice it to say that mothers day was a bit stressful. At some point I had both Zoe and Alex irritated with me and Steve and I fought almost all day. When he and I rarely if ever fight, it left me feeling a bit off and a fair bit cranky. So while some of it may have been justified... I really could have just remained more positive throughout the day and everything would have gone better.

Some important details to the day though involved Steve's family. While he and I rarely fight, it is interesting how in laws can surely drive two people to argue.

1. Zach and Kimberly set a wedding date. However, the grandparents will not be attending because they just booked a cruise. Long and the short of it.... while I can understand how "once in a life time" of a deal it may have been, I also feel as though Zach will only get married the once. So perhaps they could change their plans. Steve feels that is asking too much. Which made me comment that they perhaps should have asked if the date had been set before booking. Steve feels that asking anyone to put their own life on hold "just in case" is too much to ask. In the end he had his own frustrations that were much like my own. However he felt he needed to take a defensive stand for them (kinda a I can feel like this about them but you can't sort of deal) I may have felt as though I was not attacking them, but he certainly did.

2. His parents made changes to the plan for the fall. I had told Steve way back that I had a feeling that there was a good chance that the beach house would fall through. He assured me then that it was booked and his parents said it was a "done deal" I laugh because I even think he said to me (and I know better from years and years of being a member of his family) that once they say they are doing something they are doing it. So of course, the beach house has fallen through. I think this did not help matters because even though I still felt like I was not attacking (because honestly, the reason why their plans have changed is completely understandable and the reason why I didn't think it would work in the first place) Steve felt I was even more on the offense with this.

3. We now need to figure out what we are doing once we check out of BWV on 10/9. We fly home on 10/11. His parents were going to be going to Anna Maria Island as well as Orlando as a part of a trip to FL to take care of Steve's grandfathers affairs. He will be moving out of his house in Sarasota. So the realization that getting the house in order is a larger or more important task has surfaced. So they will be staying in Sarasota in that house rather than on the island. I tried to get Steve to understand and appreciate that it is unlikely they will be available for us to spend time with even though they have said that there is enough room for us to stay at the house with them. I could be wrong, but when they say there is enough space - I don't think it means... "come down and we will spend our days on the beach with you" but rather "we are not leaving you high and dry you will have a place to stay" He doesn't see them as different. I do. I think they will be quite busy and that we will only be in the way.


So we will need to make some changes to the plan in October. Does this frustrate me? Yes. Does it surprise me? No.

No matter what we choose to do though, it will still make for a great trip. :

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Nice negative splits & still running despite not feeling well on Saturday! I hope one day to be at that point.

In regards to your other post, I can totally understand getting flustered as you did. I think I would have flipped out a bit if I had a family & they acted like that. I'm sure they do care for you even if they don't know how to make the day about you. I also would have been upset about the in law's & the wedding date. They should have considered it if they really wanted to go. I hope you are able to figure out the vacation stuff in the near future. Having to deal with set amounts are a pain especially when you have plans!

 

[annmarieda]

Nice negative splits & still running despite not feeling well on Saturday! I hope one day to be at that point.

I hope you are not ever to the point of being crazy like me. Seriously, I push when I probably shouldn't. I just have a hard time gauging when I need to rest.

In regards to your other post, I can totally understand getting flustered as you did. I think I would have flipped out a bit if I had a family & they acted like that. I'm sure they do care for you even if they don't know how to make the day about you. I also would have been upset about the in law's & the wedding date. They should have considered it if they really wanted to go. I hope you are able to figure out the vacation stuff in the near future. Having to deal with set amounts are a pain especially when you have plans!

thanks so much. I think I just needed to complain a bit. Do know that that I am full aware that I contributed to this situation. Actually, any situation that is negative I experience I have some culpability in. I could have at any point decided that it wasn't a big deal and let it go. I just was in a mood and that mood affected it all.

My family most certainly loves and cares for me. I have never been the one tended to...but rather the one who does the tending, so I have set the stage for this. I think that adds to why mothers day can get to me. It is MY doing. If I didn't want to be the one to still get up and make sure that everyone else was fine then I shouldn't have started the tradition.

As for in laws, they could decide to cancel their trip. Who knows. Really the stress and argument had less to do with them making it or not making it to the wedding and more to do with Steve thinking I thought they were horrible (which I don't) and me thinking he was not owning up to the fact that I basically said this could happen. (which he actually does know) It is kinda one of those weird.. it is ok for him to know they are flaky and for him even say they are... but for me to point it out is too far.

The trip.. well, not a lot of availability when it comes to DVC for fall. I don't want to add one night at one resort and another at a completely different. So that leaves

1. paying oop... which I would be fine with if I could book POFQ.
   
2. Staying at an off property... which I am less fine with.
   
3. Staying down in Tampa.. which would work too, but I have no experience with hotels there so I would need to do some research.
   
4. Staying on Siesta Key ... which I think would be more costly so probably out.
   
5. Staying in Sarasota.. most cost effective but it could be a pain to have to go to and from Siesta Key. I also would worry that we would be in the way. OR that Steve would feel sensitive to the fact that I was right in his parents lack of availability.
   
6. Staying up near US and trying a day at WWOHP.. since we have never been, maybe this would be a fun option.

 

[dmross]

I'm subscribing! Found your thread through Ariel484's training report. Thanks for all the detail. I just moved to a new town and lost my BRF (best running friend) and I'm starting all new routes. My support will have to be virtual until I meet some local runners!

 

[annmarieda]

I'm subscribing! Found your thread through Ariel484's training report. Thanks for all the detail. I just moved to a new town and lost my BRF (best running friend) and I'm starting all new routes. My support will have to be virtual until I meet some local runners!

So glad you found me! I have a bit of support locally. Steve and Cynthia (eandesmom here on dis) are my local support. Most though... is all through online. I think that that kind of support can be a lot of help because you get more experienced runners who can give wise information but also newer ones who are eager to try new methods and get the older ones to consider new approaches.

 

[Ariel484]

Gotta get caught up! Hooray for MNSSHP tickets!

The girls have picked out what they want to go as (gee...any guesses?) No costumes yet though. Then Steve and I will have to figure something out. This will likely prove a daunting task given that for whatever reason... costumes for women and men would suggest that all men secretly want to drop their IQ a few points as well as be womanizers while women all want to be as naughty as possible.

My guess - a certain pair of Norwegian sisters?!

I hope you and Steve can think up good costumes!! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

I learned a couple things. One is that I am closer to being able to really do this than I first thought. Two is that it isn't as easy as one might think.

There are two hard parts to this equation. Obviously going faster with each mile... but who knew that going slow that first mile would be so tough? It is HARD to do when you are use to picking a pace and staying consistent.

YES! So agree with this!!

Tuesday was my first attempt. Not too bad really.

Mile 1 - 9:06
Mile 2 - 9:05
Mile 3 - 8:53
Mile 4 - 8:54 (dd was calling repeatedly)
Mile 5 - 8:27

Finishing with an average pace of 8:53

Looks great!

Thursday was harder. I went out WAY too fast and by the end of the run I was struggling.

Mile 1 - 8:55
Mile 2 - 8:49
Mile 3 - 8:56 (mile three is where I see a gradual elevation change. It isnt a hill, but rather over the course of the entire mile the elevation ever slow slightly goes up about 30 or 40 feet. Not a huge change, but enough that mile three is always my biggest challenge)
Mile 4 - 8:53
Mile 5 - 8:25

So if I had not started out as fast, I might have had those negative splits.

Finished with an average pace of 8:46

That's still great! Great job on the last fast mile, that is awesome!

I did come probably the closer to getting my negative splits than I did all week. So even if it made me feel aweful... at least there was a bright side.

Mile 1 - 9:09
Mile 2 - 8:57
Mile 3 - 8:57 (I really had to push to not have this be positive and just maintain)
Mile 4 - 8:56
Mile 5 - 8:55

ok, so in the end it really was more like a maintained speed which is most like what I have trained for... but I will take it for now. Ultimately I would like to see the pace difference between miles greater.

Finished with an average pace of 8:59

Great run after a not-so-great night! Hope you're feeling better.

Basically, the last few days have kinda sucked.

I did read your original post and wasn't able to comment at the time. I hope something works out for Kira and Steve. You're right, the ticket prices are soooo insane! We've been AP holders for the last 2 years, so I think I've forgotten how much the tickets can really cost (if that makes sense...we always buy the voucher ahead of time and by the time we get to WDW to get the actual AP it's been awhile since the initial purchase, so it feels like we're getting in for freeeee). But this year I have an AP and Will doesn't, and looking at the ticket prices for him I was just like...

Can totally sympathize with the PTO too. By the end of the year I'll have, like 3 days left between holidays and Disney stuff. Better not get sick! Sounds like you have a sort-of plan in place, I hope it works out.

Some important details to the day though involved Steve's family. While he and I rarely fight, it is interesting how in laws can surely drive two people to argue.

...that's all I'll say about that!

I think I just needed to complain a bit.

Totally understandable. It sounds like you had a lot of **** hit the fan at once - ANYONE would be upset. Hopefully writing it all out helped process some of it.

Hope things are looking up for you!!

 

[annmarieda]

Gotta get caught up! Hooray for MNSSHP tickets!

Thanks! I am super excited for it. This will be Steve's first time going. The only thing that has me even the least bit not happy is that my in laws arrive that night. I know I am going to be torn. I will be so excited to see them, but also want to stay at the party. They won't expect us to come back from the party. I just will be anxious knowing they are eating their first disney meal without us and getting into the room without us.

My guess - a certain pair of Norwegian sisters?!

MMMMMmayyy B

I hope you and Steve can think up good costumes!! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

I really am at kinda a loss. I seriously don't want to wear anything that would make me too warm... but then less clothing means possibly less revealing. I managed just fine the last couple years to figures something out though, so I am sure I will this year too.

Looks great!

Thanks

That's still great! Great job on the last fast mile, that is awesome!

I think I surprised myself. I knew I didn't have much time or miles to go so I just pushed so that I got that last full mile in before my time was up for the run.

Great run after a not-so-great night! Hope you're feeling better.

Feeling much better, thank you.

I did read your original post and wasn't able to comment at the time. I hope something works out for Kira and Steve. You're right, the ticket prices are soooo insane! We've been AP holders for the last 2 years, so I think I've forgotten how much the tickets can really cost (if that makes sense...we always buy the voucher ahead of time and by the time we get to WDW to get the actual AP it's been awhile since the initial purchase, so it feels like we're getting in for freeeee). But this year I have an AP and Will doesn't, and looking at the ticket prices for him I was just like...

I think it will work out just fine for both of them. I think one thing that bugged Kira was just that she knew she should have just upgraded in January to an AP. It would have cost her far less to do that and only have taken the additional trip in October than to purchase another 10 day PH. Steve will just have to make sure that he gets to the office everyday for at least a few hours. I have hope and faith that he can do it. He pushed himself and got out for a mile run yesterday. I know not a significant run..but when he is ill, that is a lot. He plans to do it again today. My hope is that by going out and doing these one mile runs it might push his chrons back into remission. Chrons is an autoimmune disorder... so basically when his body is "bored" it attacks itself and there is an inflammatory response. Running not only pumps our own body's natural antinflammatories into our system but because it is taxing.. it gives his body something else to "work on"

Can totally sympathize with the PTO too. By the end of the year I'll have, like 3 days left between holidays and Disney stuff. Better not get sick! Sounds like you have a sort-of plan in place, I hope it works out.

I don't get PTO... I can take time off when ever as long as my work is completed so I sometimes overlook how much time we need to take for a trip and such. I think we have a good plan in place now though so it should be alright. But.. yeah.. he just better not get sick.

...that's all I'll say about that!

I really hope I didn't give the impression that I dislike them or don't love them or... because when it comes down to it I adore them! They are great people and I am lucky to be a part of their family. Do I like everything they do? No. However, I am sure they don't like everything I do either.

Totally understandable. It sounds like you had a lot of **** hit the fan at once - ANYONE would be upset. Hopefully writing it all out helped process some of it.

It did and it was after I wrote it all out that I realized I was throwing my own little fit and didn't need to be so negative. Things will work out. I mean... no matter what I will still be on vacation. It would not be the first trip that I had to alter plans and be okay with knew ones so I know I can get through just about any changes.

Hope things are looking up for you!!

Thanks!

 

[annmarieda]

I told Shannon I would post a picture of the overlay of the Cinco de Mayo race that I just did and the one from last year.


It isn't THAT spectacular of a tool, but you can get an idea of differences between the two years. The darker green is this year and the lighter is last year. Along the bottom you can see mile marks.

What I find notable is that I can see that in the same part of the course (around the one and a half mile mark) It would seem that there was probably a bit of a hill or challenge. I want to say this is about where the course goes up and over a bridge. I remember last year it was HOT and I felt like each step across that bridge was taking extra energy. It would seem this year I recovered better than last year. Is that due to the weather being more cooperative or a gain in my ability? I am not sure. Another thing that can be seen happens just before the 5 mile mark last year. I thought the course was about to finish and gave it my all. THEN I realized that while the course ran back to the school where it had started, there was still once around the track to go. This year I knew that to be the case and was able to draw out my "push" longer and finish stronger.

Kinda fun to compare... I wish there was a way to put the data onto the course itself. I can overlay the two courses..but since they are the same course there isn't anything to see.

Just for additional info... and keep in mind that there was not a full sixth mile... but it explains the end of the graph a bit better than to just cut it off at the 5 mile mark.

Last years splits
1 mi 8:50
2 mi 8:45
3 mi 9:09
4 mi 9:22
5 mi 9:17
6 mi 12:34

This years splits
1 mi 8:19
2 mi 8:36
3 mi 8:42
4 mi 8:46
5 mi 8:49
6 mi 7:22

 

[ZellyB]

You've had some great runs. I'm such a slow runner that I couldn't imagine going at that pace!!

Sorry for all the family stress and especially on Mother's Day. I find that I get sensitive about stuff on that day because I feel like I should have one day where I really do get to relax and not worry about things. Yet, it never seems to work out that way.

I hope everything works out with Kira and Steve for the trip. PTO time and trying to manage it can be stressful for sure. And the costs really are sort of I know we put money back each pay period and then pay for things as we go and it helps you to sort of forget how much it all adds up to.

And, I'd be pretty frustrated with in-laws too if they scheduled a trip that conflicted with the wedding. I would think the wedding should be the priority. And, I can relate to the whole in-law criticism thing. My husband complains a lot about the things his folks do, but I do find that I need to be careful about what I say.

I hope everything works out okay!

 

[TigerTown]

Yay...another runDisney PTR to follow! I just found this thread and I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

 

[eandesmom]

Too much to comment on now (as you know brevity is not my strong suit). But... Ugh ugh and ugh on the trip ticket, pto, ddp and island house drama. Even if it's not surprising it still sucks. On the wedding/cruise conflict...is this Steve's parents as well? Was slightly confused with set of grandparents as Kimberly has some too right? Good job on the negative splits. While I often aspire to them I'm not as good at tracking as perhaps I should be. I do think you'll be waiting for me at the end! More later, hard to type too much while poolside

 

[Ariel484]

I told Shannon I would post a picture of the overlay of the Cinco de Mayo race that I just did and the one from last year...

Wow, this is so cool! You can absolutely see an improvement from last year to this year.

I want to say this is about where the course goes up and over a bridge. I remember last year it was HOT and I felt like each step across that bridge was taking extra energy. It would seem this year I recovered better than last year. Is that due to the weather being more cooperative or a gain in my ability? I am not sure.

I think you're right...this year it doesn't look like you have big increases in pace right after the possible-bridge portion.

Another thing that can be seen happens just before the 5 mile mark last year. I thought the course was about to finish and gave it my all. THEN I realized that while the course ran back to the school where it had started, there was still once around the track to go. This year I knew that to be the case and was able to draw out my "push" longer and finish stronger.

That is cool! Definitely an advantage to knowing the course ahead of time.

Last years splits
1 mi 8:50
2 mi 8:45
3 mi 9:09
4 mi 9:22
5 mi 9:17
6 mi 12:34

This years splits
1 mi 8:19
2 mi 8:36
3 mi 8:42
4 mi 8:46
5 mi 8:49
6 mi 7:22

Definitely an improvement, all sub-9-minute miles!!

 

[annmarieda]

You've had some great runs. I'm such a slow runner that I couldn't imagine going at that pace!!

Thanks My pace seems to be backsliding a bit.. maybe. Or maybe I am just not pushing so much during training.

Sorry for all the family stress and especially on Mother's Day. I find that I get sensitive about stuff on that day because I feel like I should have one day where I really do get to relax and not worry about things. Yet, it never seems to work out that way.

I think that is me totally. I get fussy.. think it should be the one day that I don't have to worry...and it never works out that way. It is weird cause I don't feel like everything has to be "perfect" any other day of the year. I just need to remember that it is just another day...

I hope everything works out with Kira and Steve for the trip. PTO time and trying to manage it can be stressful for sure. And the costs really are sort of I know we put money back each pay period and then pay for things as we go and it helps you to sort of forget how much it all adds up to.

I am sure it will. I think it was just that both of them were confused suddenly. Not like I haven't been telling them and I guarantee I will likely have to tell them again.

And, I'd be pretty frustrated with in-laws too if they scheduled a trip that conflicted with the wedding. I would think the wedding should be the priority. And, I can relate to the whole in-law criticism thing. My husband complains a lot about the things his folks do, but I do find that I need to be careful about what I say.

Well, I feel completely horrible for throwing my little fit. Apparently they sent Kimberly an email letting her know that they cancelled their plans and will in fact be attending. I honestly could appreciate them not choosing to do that when it was a "once in a life time" kind of deal. I just wish that Steve had communicated better with them in advance so that they were not forced to make that kind of decision.

Yay...another runDisney PTR to follow! I just found this thread and I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

So glad you found your way here.

Too much to comment on now (as you know brevity is not my strong suit).

Well, you need not comment now. I know you have better things to be doing right now!

But... Ugh ugh and ugh on the trip ticket, pto, ddp and island house drama. Even if it's not surprising it still sucks.

Really what sucks it is was just unnecessary drama. It will work out just fine. Sometimes I just have moments though where it all hits and I am Then when I step back I can see that it will all work out. Kira will get her ticket... Steve will take the time off... we will make the ddp work and staying on the mainland will be fine (no matter where that ends up being)

on the wedding/cruise conflict...is this Steve's parents as well? Was slightly confused with set of grandparents as Kimberly has some too right?

Yes, it was Steve's folks. Kimberly a set of grandparents on her mothers side. I believe her father's both are deceased. My mom should attend as well. (as long as she doesn't again decide she is about to die... she missed Kira's wedding because she was sure she was going to go any day. )

Steve's parents have changed their minds though. They sent an email to Kimberly saying they are no longer going on the cruise. I feel bad. I know that they really deserve to be able to take what ever trip they want/hope to. I just wish that they didn't have to choose between two things that are rather important.

Good job on the negative splits. While I often aspire to them I'm not as good at tracking as perhaps I should be. I do think you'll be waiting for me at the end!

Well, I am trying to work on them. I have yet to get a really good negative split on any of the runs I have been doing. Today was much more warm and humid than I am use to. I am trying really hard to avoid going out too early. 70 with 60% humidity really isn't too bad... but it KILLED ME. So believe me... I will not be waiting on you.

More later, hard to type too much while poolside

Well enjoy yourself!!! Poolside.. cab rides.. yummy food.. It all sounds like a wonderful girls trip!!!

Wow, this is so cool! You can absolutely see an improvement from last year to this year.

You can a little can't you. I just wonder if it had more to do with the weather being more mild this year than my ability.

I think you're right...this year it doesn't look like you have big increases in pace right after the possible-bridge portion.

Weather or not though.. I does look like I recover fine this year at that point rather than get more "pooped".

That is cool! Definitely an advantage to knowing the course ahead of time.

Ya know, at one time I used to be really good about looking at a course a head of time. I have even driven to a course to scope it out. Not sure when or why I stopped. I think it was about a year ago...

Definitely an improvement, all sub-9-minute miles!!

I definitely PR'd the course, but again... weather? I really think that played a pretty large role. I would like to think my ability has improved but the fact is I see in my training runs that my pace is much slower than it was a year ago.

 

[KatMark]

Ann, I am reading along, I just haven't had time to comment (work has been crazy busy the last two weeks and I just haven't had any DIS time or time to look to see if I ened anything for my trip in two weeks).

Your running continues to amaze me.

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, I am reading along, I just haven't had time to comment (work has been crazy busy the last two weeks and I just haven't had any DIS time or time to look to see if I ened anything for my trip in two weeks).

Your running continues to amaze me.

Kathy, I know you are super busy! Just having a upcoming trip would be reason alone to be MIA a bit... add in LIFE... I totally understand. Thanks for popping in! And thank you for the nice comment on my running. Sometimes I amaze myself with it too. Kinda a "wait, did I just run that?" sort of moments. Mostly I really enjoy it...so it keeps me going.

 

[eandesmom]

Steve's parents have changed their minds though. They sent an email to Kimberly saying they are no longer going on the cruise. I feel bad. I know that they really deserve to be able to take what ever trip they want/hope to. I just wish that they didn't have to choose between two things that are rather important. Well, I am trying to work on them.

I have yet to get a really good negative split on any of the runs I have been doing. Today was much more warm and humid than I am use to. I am trying really hard to avoid going out too early. 70 with 60% humidity really isn't too bad... but it KILLED ME. So believe me... I will not be waiting on you. Well enjoy yourself!!! Poolside.. cab rides.. yummy food.. It all sounds like a wonderful girls trip!!!.

I suppose there was no flexibility in Zach and Kimberly's date? That is frustrating but I hope his folks can slide the cruise somehow.

I truly hope your mom doesn't decide she is about to die again. I shouldn't laugh at that comment but well, it was kind of funny!

1 second negative is negative! Take it. I think it's great.

OMG

I ran 5.2 on weds here. Seriously 80 degrees and 91% humidity. When I went out it was maybe in the 70's and I swear it was mid 80's by the time I got back. I had to go to the bathroom halfway through so stopped and holy sweat bath! Oh my word it just poured on like nothing ever! Didn't help that I was trying to make sure the kids were up and then Evan was super chatty, lol! It was probably good to take the break but oh the temp went up over that 10 or so minutes.

I was happy to keep under a 10min mile for most of it but the first half was far better than the 2nd.

It was so hot that literally I jumped in the quiet pool in my running clothes after!

And man did that feel good

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

That is fascinating! What app did you use to do that overlay? I would like to do something like that, even if only to use to see a tangible progression of how much faster/consistent etc. that I get each year.

 

[annmarieda]

I suppose there was no flexibility in Zach and Kimberly's date? That is frustrating but I hope his folks can slide the cruise somehow.

Nope. They had booked the weekend...non refundable. But it all has turned out! The grandparents will be attending. Ya know what? They also decided to not cancel the house on Anna Maria Island. While this is very exciting... I feel bad and really hope that they are not putting aside an obligation just to spend time with us.

I truly hope your mom doesn't decide she is about to die again. I shouldn't laugh at that comment but well, it was kind of funny!

I truly love my mom. However, I too laugh at much of the things she does. I am not kidding or exaggerating when I say that when Kira was about to get married, she did not come because she truly felt that she would die any day. Why would she think or say this you ask? She is quite healthy. She just tends to like to think she is too old for anything and that her age would indicate an imminent departure from this world. She hasn't been complaining about being so near death lately..not since I ran that race in March where I could not for the life of me catch up to a lady that was my mothers age.

1 second negative is negative! Take it. I think it's great.

Thanks

I ran 5.2 on weds here. Seriously 80 degrees and 91% humidity. When I went out it was maybe in the 70's and I swear it was mid 80's by the time I got back. I had to go to the bathroom halfway through so stopped and holy sweat bath! Oh my word it just poured on like nothing ever! Didn't help that I was trying to make sure the kids were up and then Evan was super chatty, lol! It was probably good to take the break but oh the temp went up over that 10 or so minutes.

That is awesome! And to get it done in the heat AND humidity?

I am going to try really hard to fight the urge to go out before it gets too hot this summer. I may attempt early morning runs just on my long saturday runs. Then I will attempt to brave the heat during the week. I think early morning it tends to be more humid here... but then the afternoons will be warmer. Maybe that will be a good balance

I was happy to keep under a 10min mile for most of it but the first half was far better than the 2nd.

Maybe cause it was getting hotter by the second half?

It was so hot that literally I jumped in the quiet pool in my running clothes after!

And man did that feel good

I bet!!!

That is fascinating! What app did you use to do that overlay? I would like to do something like that, even if only to use to see a tangible progression of how much faster/consistent etc. that I get each year.

That is Runkeeper. I have had pretty good luck with it and since I have been using it for the last couple years... I am kinda locked in cause all my data is stored there.