5ks

In the last four weeks, I have participated in 3 different 5ks. The Turkey Trot took place on Thanksgiving day, the Jingle Run was two Saturdays ago, and the Reindeer Run was this past Saturday. Three different races, three different terrains, three different towns, and three great experiences.

The Turkey Trot took place in Fish Hawk on Thanksgiving morning. It was 40 degrees when I left my house and it took me 45 minutes to get to the middle of nowhere, where the run was being held. I registered for the run in plenty of time to receive the guaranteed t-shirt, but when I got to the registration table to pick up my package, they said they had run out of my size shirt. They said if I wrote my name and address down, they'd mail me a shirt. Since I would rather wait for a shirt that would fit than take a shirt just to take one, I wrote my name down. (I am still waiting for the organizer to get back to me, even though I have followed up twice at this point. No, a t-shirt is not a big deal. The fact that they told me they would do something and did not, is a big deal. Update: She got back to me and said the additional shirts have been printed and mine is in the mail. I'll let you know when I get it. Second Update: I got it.) My friend Carrie signed up with me (she is still waiting on her shirt, too) and we were going to run it together. Since I was going to be with another person, I thought it would be rude to bring my music, so I left my cell phone and ear buds in the car. (Big mistake!) This run took place in the street (the street was closed for the race) and went from the Publix parking lot to the last cul-de-sac and back. The run starts, and Carrie and I head off together. I did my best to keep up, but Carrie ended up running ahead of me after a few minutes. So, there I am, jogging my little heart out, with nothing to listen to but my labored breathing and negative thoughts. Definitely should have brought the phone. In addition to music, it also has my RunKeeper app, which tracks how far I'm running and how fast I'm doing it. I finish this 5k through a combination of walking and jogging. I finished in 43 minutes, 32 seconds. Not a bad time as far as I concerned, especially when you consider that I walked part of it.

The Jingle Run was a week and a half later. I also ran this with Carrie, and Cedric joined us, too. I learned my lesson this time, and although I planned on running with them, I brought my phone and ear buds. This run took place at Bell Creek Nature Preserve and the entire course was on a hiking trail. I've never really run on a hiking trail; I got pretty dirty, but I liked it. I started out running with Carrie and Cedric, but they pulled ahead. I maintained my pace for the first mile and a half, then walked for a quarter mile in the middle, then jogged the rest of it. RunKeeper said I jogged 3.03 miles in 42 minutes 45 seconds. Really curious if I would have been faster on a difference surface. Still super proud. (Fun story in a coming post about how I spent the rest of the day after the Jingle Run.)

(This is a picture of Sandy and me after the Reindeer Run. She is wearing the Reindeer Run shirt and I am wearing the Jingle Run shirt.)

The Reindeer Run was this past Saturday at SeaWorld. I ran this with Sandy and Andi. It was a super foggy morning and I was running about 5 minutes late. No big deal, right? Except I had no idea that 5,000 people were running!!! Talk about a stressful morning. People everywhere! Thankfully, Sandy was there early and figured out the system and made sure I had what I needed and was where I was supposed to be. (Everything, that is, except for a bathroom break before the run started. Lucky for me, I was super-dehydrated that morning. It's all part of the fun story I'll start after this post.) Running three people wide did not happen, so I fell a few steps behind Sandy and Andi. I learned from previous experience to carry my phone, so I started RunKeeper as soon as we had enough space in front of us to start running. I have RunKeeper programed to give me pacing updates every quarter mile. I want to make sure I don't run too fast, so I don't get tired too quickly. I had to keep yelling at Sandy and Andi that they were going too fast. Sandy and I had decided to run around a 13 minute mile pace, and they kept going faster than that. The Reindeer Run at SeaWorld was so packed! I'm sure it's going to be good practice for the DPHM. SeaWorld was really pretty to run through; they had their Christmas lights on. I hadn't been to SeaWorld in a really long time, but it was definitely fun to run through. Lots of people kept stopping to stare at the animals. I glanced at the dolphins and kept going. I didn't even stop to tie my shoes, even though 3 different people told me they were untied. I couldn't stop. I was in the middle of setting a personal record and jewelry was on the line! Remember how I was bribing myself to reach different exercise milestones with jewelry? Well, it really bothered me that I didn't earn my purple ring the previous week because I walked the middle quarter mile. I couldn't stop and still say I ran the whole thing. That would be cheating. According to RunKeeper, we finished 3.12 miles in 42 minutes 52 seconds. I was so proud! Personal record: Ran over 3 miles without stopping. That might be the longest I've ever run, ever.

So, three different runs, in three different places, with pretty much the same result: I finished! Next organized run is the Orlando Color Run. Don't worry, there will be pictures.

Training for DPHM

For the record, yes, I went to the gym last night! Seven days of exercise in a row and this is my reward:

Just the ring. The Dooney & Bourke Mickey purse was a Christmas present (from me to me) last year.

I ran a mile on the treadmill (and hated every single step, I am so not a runner) and then walked on the treadmill until I had done 20 minutes.

Tonight I have yoga followed by drinking and Irish music.

I think I'm going to take Wednesday off, because I signed up to do the Turkey Trot on Thursday (Thanksgiving) morning. My feet and legs are so sore, I figure a day off is probably a good idea. I already warned the person I'm doing it with that I will probably end up walking most of it.

I'm really proud that I managed to run a mile yesterday and can't wait to get back on the treadmill this weekend. Will I be able to watch Brave this weekend? We shall see. (Edit: Totally ran my two miles and watched Brave. Loved it!)

Disney Princess Half Marathon

I am lazy. My friend Sandy knows this. Sandy, however, wanted to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon. (She's got a couple of kids and needed a training goal.) And despite the fact that I am lazy, Sandy asked me to run it with her.

I agreed for two reasons. 1. I am a sucker. I will do almost anything a good friend asks me to do. 2. It's Disney!

So, although I agreed to do this a few months ago, I finally started really training for it this month. I had been going to the park by my house occasionally and walking. However, today will be the 7th day in a row I've exercised. (That might be a life-time record.)

Back in September, I set a training goal to run a mile before October. I accomplished the goal on September 30, at a very slow pace. Since then, I have not reached any new training goals.

Ideally, I would love to be able to run a 10 minute mile. There is no way that is going to happen unless I train. I know. I have even contacted a personal trainer to help. Although, really, what can a personal trainer do if I don't put in the effort.

I have finally figured out a plan to motivate myself. I bought some jewelry a few weeks ago, and have not worn it yet. The ring I kinda like will be my present after I go to the gym today to celebrate an entire week of working out. The ring I really like will be my present for running 3 miles. This ring is worth it!

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, what about a reward for running 2 miles? You know when your brain is three steps ahead of you? I was thinking about how much I wanted to go do some retail therapy at Target the other day, and how I might as well buy Brave while there. It still took a minute for my rational brain to agree to buy it with the caveat that it would be a reward for exercising.

The week of exercising started on a Tuesday. My gym has yoga Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, I went to yoga and then went to the bar to listen to my friend play live music. This will be my new Tuesday night routine, yoga and beer. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Last Thursday during yoga I actually saw the reflection of college me in the mirror, before I got so lazy. I know that if I keep at it, I will be able to finish the DPHM and will even be able to kick the lazy habit once and for all. And isn't that what happily ever after is all about?

Passholder Preview (Be Our Guest Restaurant)

Be Our Guest restaurant, aka, the thing I was most excited about in New Fantasyland. Some of the Cast Members during the Passholder Preview were very stressed, and because of this, they were being short with guests. No where was this more evident than Be Our Guest.

I went to Be Our Guest after Enchanted Tales with Belle, and the Cast Members were directing people to the left to look and to the right to eat. (I already mentioned that I ate before entering New Fantasyland because we were warned that things might not be open, and if they were, the waits might be ridiculous.) I went left to look.

The outside of the building and (what I assume will be) the exit are nicely decorated. The outside has sad beast columns and the inside has cartoon vinettes.

The line to eat was off to the right and the queue to get to the ordering stations was lined with suits of armor.

That was all I could see from the lookie-loo area and exited the restaurant. Outside there was a really pretty waterfall flowing flowing from the mountains and forest.



As soon as I exited the restaurant, I had the brilliant idea to go in and order dessert. (The way the menu was set up looked like it was a prix fixe restaurant, and I overhead a cast member telling someone the price for an adult meal versus a child meal. So, naturally I decided to go in anyway and see what happened.)

The suit of armor room led into the self-service ordering room. A cast member took my hand (no thank you! Disney please stop this!!!) and led me to my own computer kiosk. He showed me how to use the RFID hockey puck sized "rose" and left. Of course, I was already confused by this point. I don't do technology, I make do. The cast member behind me affirmed I chose the best cupcake and showed me how to pay for it. A few slides of the credit card later, I was free to wander around Be Our Guest. Success!

Apparently, when it opens, it will be a quick service restaurant during the day where you seat yourself, get your own drinks (very trusting Disney) and plastic ware, etc. and a cast member will bring you your order. (The rose stores your order.) And a sit down restaurant accepting reservations at night.

I walked through the Ball Room into the West Wing. It is super dark in the West Wing, and I totally turned my flash on so I could take a picture of my cupcake. (Super chocolaty and kinda hard to eat in the dark.) I took a few pictures of the enchanted rose and this was the best one. (Do you see the enchanted mirror on the table?)

 

Disney also included the clawed portrait of the Beast as a young man above the fireplace.

 



I went back to the Ball Room to take pictures. The ceiling is decorated with a cloud and cherub fresco and giant chandeliers.

I also noticed that there is a balcony large enough to fit the Beast to make special appearances (I hope! I hope!) and a hidden Mickey (Chip, I declare this counts.)



I cannot wait to go back to Be Our Guest and eat a full meal next time. Maybe even with a reservation! (And, as many grown-ups will tell you, Magic Kingdom has the most limited restaurant selections. Be Our Guest really adds something to the park.)

Passholder Preview (Gaston's Tavern)

Yes, this is a picture of Gaston, in front of a fountain of Gaston (standing on LeFou, sorry I'm blocking that), in front of Gaston's Tavern. I love how Douchey/Alpha Male Gaston is, the perfect combination in a cartoon and awful in real life.



The menu. I've heard the LeFou's Brew is sickeningly sweet (Disney's answer to Universal's Butter Beer), the roasted pork shank is like a turkey leg (made of pork), and the chocolate crossiant was not what was expected (ok, so, I overheard the last one.)

At this point in the day, I really did need a bottle of water. Below is the cash register that looked like a cask.

Once I got my water, of course I wandered around taking pictures. When I did the Keys to the Kingdom tour a few months ago, our tour guide mentioned that they were anticipating problems with PETA because of the decorations in Gaston's Tavern. I can totally see why.

There were a few rooms in the Tavern. Here is Gaston's room with his chair.

The last room had more animal decorations including an antler chandelier.

Passholder Preview (Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid)

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid takes place in Prince Eric's castle.

Plaque and a boat with Ariel as the figurehead outside the ride.

The external queue for the ride is nice. Starfish and other details are present in the walls and there are water features to fantasize about jumping in to. (Pretty things to look at, but nothing to play with... yet.)

As soon as you reach the first internal queue, there is a sign from Ariel. It reads: Dear Friends- A storm mixed up our human stuff! The crabs need your help cleaning up. If a crab brings out something that doesn't match the stuff around it- just point at it and the crab will take it away. Thanks, Ariel.

I did not stop to play with the crabs, the line had really starting moving at this point.

There were more queues in the shade and air conditioning, but (thankfully) I did not get a chance to check them out.

This ride is pretty true to the movie. Scuttle narrates when necessary. The ride vehcicle is a clam shell. The pictures are not the greatest because of lighting and movement issues.



As you remember from the movie, Ariel and Flounder spend the beginning of the movie messing around (not showing up for concerts) and checking out thing-a-ma-bobs. (Yes, that is Prince Eric's statue to the left of Flounder)

Then we move to the biggest room of the ride, which is where Sebastian puts on his big musical number for Under the Sea.

Time for Ursula to cast a spell on Ariel.

Go on an' kiss de girl.

Break the spell.

And live Happily Ever After!