Pre-Trip Our laces 'em up, tiara on, 10 days of run and fun PTR

Hi everybody!

The Cast of Characters: My DH, Niles, and I

Supporting Cast: my parents and perhaps my brother and his girlfriend Emily

Where: We are staying at Beach Club/Yacht Club (maybe the Villas depending how many characters we get)

When: February 21, 2014 to March 2nd, 2014

What: A 10 day, fun filled trip to the World with a wee run thrown in. Planning on a MYW package with dining and 10 day park hopper tickets.

Why: I'm running the Disney Princess Half Marathon!!!

Many of you know my personal journey to start a family with my wonderful husband. After years of shots and treatments and living via the IVF calendar, we have taken some time off and are just enjoying life and making plans that are not driven by a doctors calendar. This journey has made my weight yo yo and I have always struggled with my weight and body image. So crossing that finish line is a personal goal for me - to put all those struggles and issues behind me and take control of my life again.

Here's what we have planned so far:

Friday February 21:
Arrive via MCO and the wonderful crew of DME
Check into Beach Club/Yacht Club
Check out the Expo for the Marathon
Head to Epcot via the International Gateway in the evening for the Pasta in the Park Party and watch Illuminations

Saturday February 22:
A lazy Resort Day
Start the day with breakfast at Cape May. Then spend the day relaxing and resting at the pool and resort. Head to Epcot in the early evening via the International Gateway for Dinner at Rose & Crown - a tradition for Niles and I. Head back to the resort after dinner and watch Illuminations from the Resort or I might already be sleeping. Big Day next day!

Sunday February 23:
RACE DAY!
After the race and a nap, head to Magic Kingdom for dinner at Be Our Guest.

Monday February 24:
This day is predicted to have EMH for Epcot. So via International Gateway, head to Epcot in the a.m., early lunch at Le Cellier, then back to resort in afternoon, and back again in the evening for EMH. Probably just grab dinner in the World Showcase.

Tuesday February 25:
Head to Animal Kingdom - very excited because we got rained out both days in September. Lunch at Yak and Yeti, our favorite! Head to DHS via bus after lunch. After an evening at DHS, head back to the resort via the boat.

Wednesday February 26:
A big fun filled day at MK! Have lunch at BOG. Don't know yet for dinner.

Thursday February 27:
Head back to Animal Kingdom and after lunch, head to Epcot via the bus for dinner at Les Chefs de France and Illuminations

Friday February 28:
DHS is predicted to have EMH. So head to DHS in the a.m. via the boat, lunch at pizza planet, then a resort break. Back to DHS for dinner. Don't know where yet.

Saturday March 1st:
Spend the day at Resort and head to MK for predicted EMH. No dining decisions yet here.

Sunday March 2nd:
Final morning at MK. Breakfast at CRT. And head back to DC via MCO.

Of course, dining is speculated because I can't make ADR's yet.

So that's all I have for now!

Any advice and suggestions are great! I have never run a Disney half marathon before so any advice is great too!

Thanks for reading!!

 

[Raven66]

Have fun running the marathon!

I just wanted to let you know that there is still hope for you and your husband. It took 8 yrs for us to have a baby. We didn't do IVF but I had to endure shots, took so many pills and to plan everything out. I was so tired of being poked and prodded. I became pregnant but miscarried 5 weeks later. I finally couldn't take it anymore. I cried whenever I saw a pregnant woman. We went to Wendy's on Mother's Day and the cashier said happy mother's day and I burst into tears, of course she felt terrible. BUT the following year, I got pregnant.
That baby is now a healthy mouthy (haha) smart and beautiful 16 yr old girl. We never had another one, so she was our one miracle but we are so grateful for her. So never give up hope! Big hugs to you and your husband.

Sorry I hijacked the thread

 

[Sumrdog]

I just replied to your other thread on the running forum. And now reading your itinerary I think you are totally doing this up right! Staying a week after the big run is how I would love to do it! And at my favorite resort The Beach Club!

A Run Disney event is a great supportive environment for your first half.

Have you given any thought to your race outfit? Team Sparkle has really cute sparkle skirts and accessories.

You are going to have so much fun!

 

[disneygirl76]

Have fun running the marathon!

I just wanted to let you know that there is still hope for you and your husband. It took 8 yrs for us to have a baby. We didn't do IVF but I had to endure shots, took so many pills and to plan everything out. I was so tired of being poked and prodded. I became pregnant but miscarried 5 weeks later. I finally couldn't take it anymore. I cried whenever I saw a pregnant woman. We went to Wendy's on Mother's Day and the cashier said happy mother's day and I burst into tears, of course she felt terrible. BUT the following year, I got pregnant.
That baby is now a healthy mouthy (haha) smart and beautiful 16 yr old girl. We never had another one, so she was our one miracle but we are so grateful for her. So never give up hope! Big hugs to you and your husband.

Sorry I hijacked the thread

Hee hee You didn't hijack! I love to hear inspiring stories b/c really, the hope is the only thing that keeps us going! Thank you sharing your story!

 

[disneygirl76]

I just replied to your other thread on the running forum. And now reading your itinerary I think you are totally doing this up right! Staying a week after the big run is how I would love to do it! And at my favorite resort The Beach Club!

A Run Disney event is a great supportive environment for your first half.

Have you given any thought to your race outfit? Team Sparkle has really cute sparkle skirts and accessories.

You are going to have so much fun!

OMG! No, thoughts on the outfit yet. Pretty sure I want to run in a small tiara - that's all I have so far! I'm actually about to throw on the sneakers and see how long I can go today. First time I'm doing that! I will totally check out Team Sparkle! Is that something through Disney or a shop? Ohhhh! Excited! I'm so glad to know this is a supportive run. Thanks!

 

[Sumrdog]

OMG! No, thoughts on the outfit yet. Pretty sure I want to run in a small tiara - that's all I have so far! I'm actually about to throw on the sneakers and see how long I can go today. First time I'm doing that! I will totally check out Team Sparkle! Is that something through Disney or a shop? Ohhhh! Excited! I'm so glad to know this is a supportive run. Thanks!

Let us know how your run goes. And don't get discouraged...endurance is built slowly through consistent training.
Team Sparkle I discovered at the expo last year, they are their own entity. Do a web search I think there is a hyphen in the name somewhere, but you'll find it. Good luck!

 

[disneygirl76]

Let us know how your run goes. And don't get discouraged...endurance is built slowly through consistent training.
Team Sparkle I discovered at the expo last year, they are their own entity. Do a web search I think there is a hyphen in the name somewhere, but you'll find it. Good luck!

Perfect! Thank you! I just ran this a.m. Didn't realize the tread mill stopped you at an hour. hmmmm....oh well. Accomplished more then a 5 K so that is good for only doing this for two weeks. I'm a run / walk combo but slowly and steady doing more then ever thought possible. I will search for the team sparkle! Yeah! Can't wait to see the stuff!

 

[Sumrdog]

Perfect! Thank you! I just ran this a.m. Didn't realize the tread mill stopped you at an hour. hmmmm....oh well. Accomplished more then a 5 K so that is good for only doing this for two weeks. I'm a run / walk combo but slowly and steady doing more then ever thought possible. I will search for the team sparkle! Yeah! Can't wait to see the stuff!

That is great! I am really excited for you! You can make skirts too, search easy no sew princess skirts. I made mine for the Princess Half.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Good Luck on your training!! I read @Sumrdog TR and it made me want to get out there and try to be a runner so I could be in the Princess Half Marathon too. unfortunatly I'm more of a fast walker...My shins kill me after a few minutes of running....someone told me i need better shoes. blah blah blah .

Anyhoo you'll do great!! just keep running just keep running just keep running.

~edit~ The blah blah blah means that I was rambling not that I didn't need better shoes.

 

[disneygirl76]

That is great! I am really excited for you! You can make skirts too, search easy no sew princess skirts. I made mine for the Princess Half.

Thanks!!! That's great advice!

 

[disneygirl76]

Good Luck on your training!! I read @Sumrdog TR and it made me want to get out there and try to be a runner so I could be in the Princess Half Marathon too. unfortunatly I'm more of a fast walker...My shins kill me after a few minutes of running....someone told me i need better shoes. blah blah blah .

Anyhoo you'll do great!! just keep running just keep running just keep running.

~edit~ The blah blah blah means that I was rambling not that I didn't need better shoes.

I love that! just keep running just keep running! See my shins hurt when walk - they like to run more. So funny how everyone is different. I have good shoes but they are made for running not walking so when I am running/walking with those shoes, I do much better with the running part. I think I need to see a podiatrist or back to the running store.

 

[Ariel484]

Let us know how your run goes. And don't get discouraged...endurance is built slowly through consistent training.
Team Sparkle I discovered at the expo last year, they are their own entity. Do a web search I think there is a hyphen in the name somewhere, but you'll find it. Good luck!

Great advice. Don't worry about your pace when you're just starting out...slow and steady wins the race.

Also check out www.sparkleskirts.com ...pricey but AMAZING. They have great pockets and the shorts do not move...seriously. I have run a few half marathons and one full marathon in mine and they have been perfect. So comfortable and flattering...and there are Disney Princess-inspired varieties.

 

[disneygirl76]

Great advice. Don't worry about your pace when you're just starting out...slow and steady wins the race.

Also check out www.sparkleskirts.com ...pricey but AMAZING. They have great pockets and the shorts do not move...seriously. I have run a few half marathons and one full marathon in mine and they have been perfect. So comfortable and flattering...and there are Disney Princess-inspired varieties.

Great! Thanks!!!!!!

 

[Sumrdog]

Great advice. Don't worry about your pace when you're just starting out...slow and steady wins the race.

Also check out www.sparkleskirts.com ...pricey but AMAZING. They have great pockets and the shorts do not move...seriously. I have run a few half marathons and one full marathon in mine and they have been perfect. So comfortable and flattering...and there are Disney Princess-inspired varieties.

Ooh! I haven't seen the sparkle shirts site, I need to check it out!

 

[Sumrdog]

Good Luck on your training!! I read @Sumrdog TR and it made me want to get out there and try to be a runner so I could be in the Princess Half Marathon too. unfortunatly I'm more of a fast walker...My shins kill me after a few minutes of running....someone told me i need better shoes. blah blah blah .

Anyhoo you'll do great!! just keep running just keep running just keep running.

~edit~ The blah blah blah means that I was rambling not that I didn't need better shoes.

It makes me so happy to read that my trip report made you want to be a runner

 

[mousefreak]

YEAHH!!! Carey has a trip planned! Now you can start planning and obsessing.

We are planning on early Feb 2014, so I'll be putting out a PTR once we book when the packages are released (hopefully soon).

Been thinking about you and Miles and all the crap you've had to deal with the IVF.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

So awesome that you have decided to run the Princess Half. I keep saying I want to, but then I never actually start training again. I ran the Tower of Terror 10 Miler and it was so much fun. I walked more than half of it though because the humidity was 85% at the start of the race. I guess that's what happens during a race in Florida.. In September! lol

You will do great!!!

 

[disneygirl76]

It makes me so happy to read that my trip report made you want to be a runner

Thanks! I always thought people were nuts talking about this runners high. It took me two weeks but I got it!!!!! I totally get it!

 

[disneygirl76]

YEAHH!!! Carey has a trip planned! Now you can start planning and obsessing.

We are planning on early Feb 2014, so I'll be putting out a PTR once we book when the packages are released (hopefully soon).

Been thinking about you and Miles and all the crap you've had to deal with the IVF.

Thank you! Yes, we are so excited to finally think about something other then IVF. Maybe something will happen when nothing is happening. They say that is the way of things! I am SO excited for the release of the packages! Can't wait! It better be soon! HA!

 

[disneygirl76]

So awesome that you have decided to run the Princess Half. I keep saying I want to, but then I never actually start training again. I ran the Tower of Terror 10 Miler and it was so much fun. I walked more than half of it though because the humidity was 85% at the start of the race. I guess that's what happens during a race in Florida.. In September! lol

You will do great!!!

I can't tell you how excited I am that this race is in Feb! HA! We went for our walk outside tonight and the humidity was crazy. Hopefully training in the heat will help in the long run when I will be doing the race when hopefully there isn't any.