Ashley's jingle jungle 5k recap.

Hello!  I am a slacker for sure in this blog world!  I have not even recapped any of my Glass Slipper Challenge races from back in February!  Not sure I will even bother now, but my dear running friend is way better than I am at keeping up the recaps!  Check out my friend Ashley's blog, as she recapped our latest rundisney adventure....at the Jingle Jungle 5k during the Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend.  (side note:  Check out the last recap, as we ran the Enchanted 10k together back in February as a part of Princess Half Marathon weekend, and teamed up again for some 5k fun!).  This run was way different than Wine and Dine Half later that night, that's for sure, maybe I will get around to recapping that soon, ha, no promises since I have slacked on other recaps.  I had a great time with my best running buddy!  Check out our fun 5k run together in the link below!


http://www.thepavementprincess.com/2014/11/rundisney-jingle-jungle-5k-recap.html

(I admit I am posting this basically for myself since I can't seem to do my own recaps.  Maybe this will be a New Year's resolution for myself, get back in the game with recaps!!)

Running: where I am at.

So my goal of doing better at blogging totally failed so far this year!  I tried.  I am such a procrastinator, I hate it!!  I try, try, try, but it never fails. I still have posts I want to write, about the Christmas Story 10k that I ran back before Christmas, as well as the Glass Slipper Challenge events!  Someday I guess!

I have been such a slacker in running, I had a very sick winter and spring, and just really didn't get much in, I would get all amped up and try, then boom, I got knocked down again by illness.  My job makes me extremely exhausted both mentally and physically as well, as well as the hours I work, so that doesn't help matters.  I have been running here and there, and ran the Cleveland 10k back in May and did better than I thought I would quite honestly.  Yet another recap to write!  Ah!

I have decided due to how I feel physically, to try my best to get in 2 runs during the week with some quality to them, and then a long run on the weekends.  I usually try to get in 3 runs during the week with a long on the weekend, but honestly that just isn't happening, it's hard enough to get in the 2.  So that is my goal at this point in time.  This past week was the first time I followed through on my 3 planned runs and they all went well.  I have lost my speed and want to slowly gain it back, so I am ok with what I have been running most recently.  I am trying to keep the 2 weekday runs at a decent pace (that first mile is usually a slower warm up) and have gotten 3 miles each day, with negative splits.  I did my first "long" run in 2 weeks of 5 miles (it's weird to say that after having had so many longer runs than that in my past, but this is the point I am at now), at a slower pace than the weekday runs.  Slow and steady is my  motto for now!

So that's where I am at, and I hope to check in more often.  I was on a runners high yesterday after my 5 miler and talked to a friend afterward.  We were talking some big plans for next year!  Not disclosing on them now til confirmed but next year may be exciting.  It is a milestone birthday year for me.  :)

I hope to be back blogging soon, but let's not take bets, since I seem to be quite a slacker!  Happy Summer!

me.

I owe a few race recaps, including the Glass Slipper Challenge weekend, but right now, this post is mostly for me, to hold myself accountable.  I have been asked how I have been, so this is how I have been.  Just being honest and keeping it real.

I have been so out of it lately, just no energy at all.  I am not sick, just flat out no energy and beyond tired, physically as well as mentally.  I guess I blame it on the weather and my job.  Both of which take it out of me.  My job is very physical, and mentally draining.  I work a new, early shift that I am slowly adjusting to, and just after 8 hours of the physical aspect of dealing with children under 12 months in a group setting, as much as the mental things that go with it, from , job requirements and rules (so much to remember), to parents (!), new coworkers and harmony amongst us, still fitting into my new role, general job frustrations, and job role expectations, it has taken a toll on me.  I am doing the best I can, but lately I feel like it isn't enough.  A lot of work I do at home because there isn't enough time to do it at work (paperwork) or go early (and I work early!!!) to get some things done beforehand.  I guess I am maybe holding expectations to high on myself.  As for the weather, I am, like most all people in the north, just over it.  We have gone from a 60* day, to a blizzard and freezing temps.  And back and forth and back and forth.  Over it. I literally come home, prep for the next day, and lights are off by 8:30 p.m.because I cannot stay awake.  Friday nights, I have been asleep by 9:30 and sleep for 12 hours.  I lead such a fascinating life!  I don't even have kids of my own!

I am saying all this I guess to just get my whine out, as pounding the keys is very theraputic.  I am tired of feeling tired.  Everything is put to the side. Running has been minimal. And this past week, not happening at all.   I sleep more than I ever have on weekends, because of pure exhaustion.  That takes away from my "me" time.  I want to run, although I am sick of that treadmill!  I want to do other things to make my physical self feel better.  I need to eat better.  I am not happy with how I feel, my body doesn't feel good anymore, I feel floppy, and not tight like I used to.  Shopping for a dress for my sisters upcoming wedding has not been fun. My living space is a mess, it needs work.  I am just looking for the energy to get it all done.  I am hoping this weekend and week, to find my running/exercise mojo again, as well as my "me" mojo.  I think the "me" mojo is most important, and will lead to better choices in regard to all else.  I have been running on empty for too long and need to take a step back and put myself first again.  I had so much fun at the Glass Slipper Challenge and I always come back motivated to continue on.  That motivation is there, it's just tucked away behind so much.

I am sorry if I sound whiney, and yes, it could be so much worse.  If this is something that bothers you to read, then don't read!  It's my outlet, and my way of venting my frustrations.  It's how I have been and I have been asked how I am doing.  This is it.  It's real, and I won't lie.  I need my disney magic back.

So here's to myself getting myself back.  To eating healthier, getting things done that are not work related, and to trying to get active again (not just at work, which is not really exercise, just running around all day!).  I will say, that I get some good arm exercises in rocking cribs and lifting some cute little chunky babies!  :)  Hoping my thighs are getting a bit stronger too, with the daily squatting I do too!  Anyway, if you have read this far, thanks for listening.  I promise happier recaps and posts to come!

Gearing Up For Glass Slipper Challenge.

The time has come!  It's Glass Slipper Challenge time!  I am so excited to get down to warm, and hopefully sunny Orlando!  Woo hoo!

Of course, once again, my training has been lack luster.  I was all gung ho, full speed ahead, and then, once again, I got sick.  Twice.  This winter is killing me.  I think my job is too.  I have never felt so worn down, exhausted, and flat out sick!  My class had a nasty stomach bug fly through us all, and then another sinus infection hit.  This has been the sickiest few months of my life!  Training took a back seat, and I pretty much gave up.  It's like once I committed, I get sick.  Maybe I will stop committing.  It happened last fall with Wine and Dine training (plus other stuff earlier on that depleted me), and it happened literally days after I committed to decent training this time.  Ugh.  BUT!  I am not giving up.  I am relying on a lot of adrenaline, newer shoes, and pent up running that never happened to get me through.

I had originally made a goal to try and run the Princess Half for time, but I never got to really work on speed, just plain old running was hard enough to get in, so now it's get to the finish upright, and if I have it in me, I will try to up the speed.  I have not run double digits since Wine and Dine in November.  I have only had a few long runs, the last and longest one being 7 miles nearly 3 weeks ago.  I have not run outside since before Wine and Dine in November, and really only once in a 10k that was freezing cold in December. It's been treadmill only for months.  So hey, my work is cut out for me, but I will be in Disney World, in the happiest place on earth, doing what I have to remind myself that I really do love, running. And vacationing.  It could be worse!

Also!!!!  I get to run outside again!  With clear roads!  Yipppeeee!!

I am excited to get out there, got me some new sparkle skirts, one of which I will pair up with Ashley and be a part of team minnie!  (#teamminnie for all my twitter friends!) for the Enchanted 10k in which I will attempt interval run/walk with Ashley, and just try to let my legs go easy, so I can prepare for running the next day.  We plan to stop at the characters.  My aunt made us an epic sign.  It's gonna be a great weekend for running.  As for the half, that will be more fly by the seat of my pants based on how I feel.  I may stop along the route, I may not.  I may do both.  We will see.

I am excited though, and so ready to get away from this tundra we call Ohio at the moment.  48 hours to go!

Wine and Dine 1/2.

......and better late than never, my Wine and Dine Half recap(holy photo overload!)!  I promised myself that I would get this posted BEFORE I leave the for the Princess Half/Glass Slipper Challenge!

So back in November, I, along with my brother and my bff and her hubby, all ran the Wine and Dine Half Marathon.  I was excited for this trip, but my training (or lack thereof) was a bit of a worry for me.  I hoped to be able to get through, slow and walking breaks if I had to.  My brother (it was his first!) was totally supportive of me and agreed to stick with me through the whole thing.  Our goal was to finish upright and have all the fun!  That we did. 

It was also my bff's first half marathon.  She and her hubby planned to stick together too, and that they did!  So proud of her!

It was a bunch of firsts for me, my first night race, and my first set of 2 races in one day (I ran the Jingle Jungle 5K earlier that day).  Spoiler alert:  I made it through just fine!  It went better than I expected it to!

We spent the morning visiting Animal Kingdom, and then headed back to the resort to relax and rest up for the big night.  This was so weird for me.  It was kind of nice though, to not have to wake up at o'dark o'thirty like all my other Disney half marathons!

My mom and aunt were also along as our cheerleaders!  We were so thankful for them and their sign and support!  I may or may not have broken into tears when I saw them during the last mile at Epcot!  I was all emotional realizing during that mile, that I did it, on little training, after a bad year, and not only did this race but the 5k earlier as well.  I was a ball of emotion when I saw them!

Mike (my brother), Kyle and Eric (bff/hubby), and I made our way by bus to the Wide World of Sports Complex to hang out with all the other thousands of runners and walkers until the start.  It was nice to just get dropped off and there we were!  No long walk to corrals!  We hung out, put on our glowing accessories, took pictures, and admired costumes until we headed to our corrals.  Mike and I were in Corral C, while they were in a few corrals after us.  We had plans to meet up after the race for the after party.  

Pre race photo!  Siblings!

Group pre race!

We hit the port a potty one last time, and while waiting, we had another picture taken (it was like paparazzi they took so many pics of us!). 

Thumbs up for potty!

Selfies in the corral!

 Soon enough the fireworks went off and we were on our way!  I was a little nervous, but fell into a decent pace

Run, Mike, Run!

It was not long before we saw our first character stops!

 It was fun to have someone to run alongside me, and to talk to, a great distraction.  We made our way to Animal Kingdom and saw lots of characters there! 

 It was fun to have run into Karen, while we were at the Pluto stop.  I love her blog.  I also ended up getting to say hello to her as we ran out of the park together. It was nice to meet you Karen!  :)  After Pluto, we made our way out of Animal Kingdom!  Then we found pirates!

We then hit the road for some decent paced running!

We found some friends along the way toward Hollywood Studios!  The green army man was yelling at us.  He said something to us about finding our sleeves?!  I think he meant because we had on tank tops? Not sure, but it was funny.

  We made our way to Hollywood Studios, and I was sooo excited for the next part.....running through the Osborne Lights.  We entered the park near Tower of Terror and zig zagged our way through the park.

Then we headed to the Osborne Lights.  I got chills as we entered the area!

Pictures don't do it justice, but I loved it!

  It totally lived up to my expectations, it was my favorite part of the whole race.  It was so beautiful.  We just stopped and took it all in!  It was our slowest mile of the whole race!  Running through those lights totally pumped me up and got me energized as we headed to Epcot to the finish line!

We found some more friends as we left the Studios!

I enjoyed the sight of the Boardwalk/Beach Club/Swan and Dolphin area, where there was huge crowd support and when it got tough on the legs.  Then we entered Epcot, where we saw our mom and aunt (and when I totally lost it!) as we headed to the finish line.  

I totally lost it.  Lots of emotions over a lot of things!

After seeing our chEARleaders, it was just a short jog to the finish line!

Gunning it to finish strong! 

That is us on the left,  hand in hand ready to finish that race!
 I was sad it was our only halfway decent finish line pic! 

The lasers at the finish line were pretty cool and almost disorienting, but made the finish all the more exciting!  We crossed that finish line with smiles on our faces and our hands held high!  I made it, he made it, we both made it, and it was a blast!

So happy to have done much better than I anticipated
.  It wasn't about speed,
but it was about overcoming a lot this year! 

Half marathoner!

  I was so proud of my brother, and myself.  He kept me going when I was losing steam.  I was so thankful to have my brother alongside me the whole way, it made it that much more special.  I am glad I could be a part of his first half marathon.  Thank you, Mike, for keeping me going and staying with me at my slow pace!  I am proud of you!  

Siblings who run together, stick together!

I am proud to say that it was also the first time I ran music free during a half marathon.  It was a first for us both, we had our music with us, but never turned it on.  I was also proud that I didn't walk at all, except for the water stops that we used.  I was convinced that I would need to walk some of it, but I didn't.  

My brother and I both finished hand in hand raised up in victory, at 2:44:27.

Kyle and Eric both finished the race with big smiles too, about 20 minutes after we did.  It was a great time we all had!  Congrats to you, Kyle and Eric!  And congrats to Kyle, on her first half marathon!  You did it!

Congrats to us all!

After we all met back up and got changed, we enjoyed some drinks at the after party, and walked around World Showcase a little bit, and rode Soarin.  By 4 a.m., we had had it and headed out back to the resort for much needed sleep. 

What a great race it was, I am pretty sure it won't be my last Wine and Dine.  Next year is an anniversary year for the race.....hmmmm.....I bet the medal will be great!  Maybe I need to repeat this race!

Love this medal!

Once again, RunDisney did it again, and made this race 13.1 magical miles!  Love it!

jingle jungle 5k.

 (I know I am so late in posting this, but I still wanted to do it!  It's a fun look back!)

Back in November, Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k was my first Disney 5k to participate in!  It was also the morning of the Wine and Dine Half (which was later that night). So this was my first ever double race day!

I arrived at the 5k way too early, in hindsight I would have left later.  I was on one of the first buses at 5 a.m. and we got to the start area by 5:30, maybe even earlier.  I didn't know what to expect, having only done the half marathons where you walk forever to get to your corral!  Here, it was drop and there you are!  I hung out a bit, just watching all the costumes go by, and keeping busy people watching.  Soon it was time to get in the corrals for the start!

My goal was to just go easy and enjoy the characters to save my legs for the half marathon later that night.  I had intended to train by doing 2 runs a day, but that never happened.  So this truly was my first time ever having to do 2 runs in one day!  My training leading up to this was minimal, due to a lack of it over the summer/fall, and then having gotten sick not long before the trip to Florida.  I was totally winging these races!

I was in corral B, the second group to start.  As the sun rose over the horizon, corral A set off on their jungle adventure.  Not long after, my corral set off, and I was running my first Disney 5K!!  I was excited!

The start line was in the far end of the Animal Kingdom parking lot, then we ran around the perimeter, toward the main entrance to the park.  I was excited to see the Christmas tree, it was my first glimpse of the holiday decorations at Disney World!

 {entering Animal Kingdom where the fun really starts!}

{the tree of life}

We ran into the park, toward the Tree of Life, with a left turn into Africa!

This is where the characters started!  All the characters were in their safari gear with a holiday twist!

 {Rafiki from Lion King!!!}

{Turk from Tarzan!!}

{King Louie from Jungle Book}

We made our way from Africa over toward Asia, past Expedition Everest.

We ran by Dinoland, back to the front part near the Tree of Life.

Then we turned into a backstage area, and ran down a road I never thought would end, which was a turn around road, and directly in the sun.  It was kinda blinding, and hot!  There were a few stops along the way, with more characters!

{Donald Duck!}

{Pluto!!}

It was in the Pluto line where I ran into Melissa, an instagram friend, for the second time all weekend!  I ran into her at the expo as well!  It was so fun seeing her not once but twice!  Hi Melissa!

Then it was on to the finish!  It was getting pretty warm out there, with the sun fully out now!

{pushing full speed to the finish!!}

 I crossed the finish line in 44:48!  My longest 5k ever, but that is ok, I stopped for pictures and took my time.  I dodged people the whole time as well.  It was a fun run!

  I found my bff's husband who also ran the 5k (and won it, unofficially since it is an untimed race)!  Who does that?!  He is speedy!  Then I got in the super long line for a picture with Minnie and Mickey, and who did I run into again?!  Instagram friend Melissa! As I stood there I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned around to see her, again! This time we captured it!  It was fun to chat with her in line!  It was so nice meeting you Melissa, and how random each time it was!

{instagram and now real life, friends!}

{Mickey and Minnie!}

Then we were off to meet our families for some fun times in Animal Kingdom, before we headed back to our resort to rest up for the Wine and Dine Half!

{Me and the unofficial winner!  My best friends hubby!  Congrats!}

I had a great time at the Jingle Jungle 5k and will surely do it again sometime!  Definitely 3.1 miles of magic!