2019 Princess Weekend - 5k

We had a super early wake up call for the 5k. I was grouchy and had a low tolerance for people. My back was hurting and it was causing me to be anxious about finishing the 10k. I wanted this race to be over. After the race I was grateful for black shorts.

We moved very slow.

I wanted to conserve energy for the 10k but the slow pace was killing me. My friends back was really bothering her. At times she leaned on my daughter and me just to take a few steps. Thank goodness my daughter was there with her big smile and support.

She literally sang Disney songs, LOUDLY, throughout the entire 5k.

I had to remind myself regularly that I was there to support a friend and get her over the finish line. Tomorrow I was asking someone to go at my pace to get me across.

We continued to move forward one step at a time when I noticed that there were medics on bicycles behind us. Talking with them I realized that we were the back of the pack. They let us know that as long as we keep moving we will cross the finish line.

That's when Disney magic happened. There was another group of ladies that had someone struggling. We started talking about simple things but it was enough distraction that everyone kept moving forward. There were golf carts biting at our ankles but we didn't care. Now this group of ladies who had just met created an amazing support system. 

We rounded the corner with the finish line in sight. It was decided that everyone should link arms and cross together. We couldn't have done it without each other.

Looking back I wish I would have relaxed and enjoyed the moment. I'm proud of everyone that was able to get up, put on their running shoes and do their best. 

Congratulations!

We did spend a little time in Animal Kingdom before heading back. 

Tomorrow is my big race!

2019 Princess Weekend - expo

Expo Day!

We woke up fairly early on Thursday to get ready for the expo. My friends daughter said that traffic was horrible so we opted to grab breakfast before heading out. The plan was to meet up with my sister, pick up our bibs and walk the vendors. Everyone was able to get their 5k bibs quickly. Making our way over to the 10k bib area I started to get nervous. One thing I learned last year was that corral placement is EVERYTHING when it comes to a runDisney races.

Corral B!

I was super happy but had to contain my joy because my friend was placed in corral F. After talking with the runDisney people and Team Up it looked like that was were she was going to stay. We made our way to t-shirt pick up. Our trip to the expo was quick and simple until we got into the line to shop.

My friend was not feeling up to shopping after finding out her corral placement and my sisters didn't want to shop so we sent them on their way. Kathryn and I stood in line for 45 minutes just to get into the shop. There were items that I had pre-purchased but wanted to pick up 3 sneaker ornaments. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of our purchases but it was more than I expected.. The best purchase was a t-shirt for my friends daughter about the sleepy challenge and that she did it.

Character dining at Artist Point

We ended the day with a wonderful dinner at Artist Point located at Wilderness Lodge. This is a newer character dining location and we were very lucky to get in. Meeting the characters was great but this was an evening all about the food. The chef's used the plate as a palette and food as the paint. Your only choice in dining is the main coarse.

Our appetizers were winter squash soup, meat pies and shrimp cocktail. I'm not a huge fan of squash but the soup was delicious. If you like pumpkin spice then this is the soup for you. For dinner we went with the seafood stew and prime rib. The main courses were exceptional and I would highly recommend them. I'm not a dessert person but WOW! I started with the gooseberry pie, this was my favorite. It was just the right amount of sweet and tart. Not sure what the apple dessert was but it was yummy. The Dopey dessert was a mixer of cake, frosting and "gems". Of all the dining that I have done at Disney Artist Point has offered the best food with a unique character experience.

Now it's off to bed for an early morning wake up.

Eeyore is my spirit animal

Growing up my nickname was Eeyore. My mantra was thanks for noticing me. Bet it won't surprise you that I have middle child syndrome. 

Middle child syndrome is a condition in which children born in the middle experience feelings of emptiness, inadequacy and jealousy. It is also characterized by low self-esteem and extreme introversion, sometimes even leading to psychotic behavior.

I was born in the early 70's and raised in a spare the rod, spoil the child household. I'm proud to say that I'm a wooden spoon survivor. I was never my mother's favorite. Never smart enough or pretty enough. I spent years seeking approval. This feeling of failure touched every aspect of my life starting from a very young age. 

Starting in September all I wanted to do was watch television and stay in bed. Summer was over which meant I was back to work. It felt like I was running on an empty tank. The holidays and a kitchen fire threw me into a real funk. I didn't want to do anything. It felt like I would starting sobbing at any minute. What I didn't want to face was that my "happy" pill was no longer effective. 

So now what...

I have started a new medication hoping it will relieve some of the symptoms. I might start journaling and looking into therapy. 

“The nicest thing about the rain is that it always stops. Eventually.”

― A. A. Milne

Making a plan - 2019!

The princess run is only 48 days away!

So everyone is doing this new year, new you, blah, blah, blah. 

I need to shift focus back to me. Things have been crazy after the kitchen fire and I was using it an excuse not to do any training. Time for change and no more excuses.

My S.M.A.R.T. goal has not changed but there are a few things that need to be modified.

S. - Specific - I will complete the runDisney Princess 10k in 2019

M. - Measurable (Motivating) - I want to prove to myself that I can - Cross the finish line

A. – Achievable (Ambitious) - This year I need to have a qualifying time for better corral placement - had a finish time of 1:42 for 10k

R. - Realistic - With training this is a realistic goal

T. – Time based - race will take place in 274 days - takes place in 48 days

After getting the professional video clips from Across the Bay 10k I realized that my running form had room for improvement. For a Christmas present I hired a running coach through Pax PT Running. I'm so glad that I did this. She has been helping me create weekly work-out schedules. I'm held accountable.

Races

June - The Incredibles virtual 5k

July - The Incredibles  virtual 5k

August - The Incredibles  virtual 5k

September - Great Inflatable Race

October - Jefferson Patterson Park Museum 5k

November - Across the Bay 10k

December - Jingle Bell Run 5k - I was signed up for this race. I totally missed it. It wasn't until friends posted their photos that I remembered it was race day.

January - 

February - Princess 5k and 10k

I also decided to challenge myself to completing 2,019 miles in 2019. This year I plan on counting all of my steps. 

My daughter gave me so light reading for Christmas. I have taken lots of mental notes to get myself ready. Suitcases have been brought upstairs. The final pieces to my costumes have been ordered. 

 

One last thing! I am trying to increase my water intake prior to Princess. This gallon jug should be able to help. 

Proud mom!

My fly girl!

Senior night at the pool.

It pays to work the swim meets. I have a front row seats.

Life gets in the way

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The family traveled to Pennsylvania to enjoy time with everyone. It was nice to get away for a little bit. There was snow on the ground and the temperatures were in the single digits at night. I became a bear hibernating on the coach. 

Before Thanksgiving we had a small kitchen fire. Thank goodness that the damage was minimal and no one was hurt. The clean up process has been overwhelming. EVERYTHING needs to be washed. It's been painstakingly slow and I'm still not done. The cooktop will need to be replaced. It could have been worse. Things just need to get back to normal.

runDisney posted the medals for the Princess 5k and 10k. I need to post the pictures around the house to motivate me to get back to training. 

It's A Bridge...Get Over it

This is my favorite race. The official times and pictures are not available yet but I feel great!

There was a slight chill in the area but the sun shone bright. I started the race with a light jacket. Once we were moving I warmed up quickly and lost the jacket around 1.5 mile. My running companion was my daughter again this year. She danced and sang the entire 6.2 miles. I love that this is how we get "girl" time in. Not sure who will be running with me next year. She has been my biggest cheerleader. 

I turned on my Extra Mile podcast and listened to Jeff Galloway encouraging words. There was no fear of the sweeper buses this year because 1.) I have been training consistently and 2.) we started in a much earlier corral then assigned. I also learned the importance of anti-chafe and what areas might need it. 

I have traveled across this bridge many times since moving to Maryland 15 years ago. Shortly after moving here my parents came to visit and I drove them across the bridge. My dad asked me later why we had gone over to turn around and come back. My reply "isn't it an awesome bridge". I still think that the bridge is awesome and love that they open it once a year for this race. May I have many more bridge crossings.

My only regret is that I will never complete the puzzle. I needed to start in 2014 to get all the pieces.