Glass Slipper Challenge Training: Week 14

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2.5M

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Rest

Friday: The Inaugural WDW 10k

Saturday: Volunteering for the Half Marathon

Sunday: Spectating the marathon- 3-5M-ish

It was very hard getting to the gym this week, but I knew I had to do it on Tuesday, since I'd be traveling on Thursday. Something is seriously wrong when it takes longer to bundle up to leave the gym, than the actual workout. In case you live under a rock, or in California- it's been insanely cold this week. Like, the coldest it's been since I moved here and pretty much in like 100 years according to the news. I could barely breathe just stepping outside and my face was windburned walking 1 block. Yea, no outside workouts were going to be happening.

Normally, I just switch out my gym shirt and throw on a pair of long yoga pants over my capris and peace out. But since it felt like -15, I knew I could not go out with wet hair and I needed to change everything remotely damp. I do not have time for this kind of winter, Mother Nature! I hope this is the last of the crazy weather. I will gladly take 20 degrees to this.

And speaking of weather, Florida wasn't that big of a difference. I was legitimately cold on Sunday- which was great for the marathoners. Of course the one day I was running, it was disgustingly humid.How frustrating! But more on the weekend's festivities in a future post. This "quick" trip has tuckered me out and my flight delay last night didn't help matters. Hoping to get back to normal soon! 

How was your weekend?! 

Glass Slipper Challenge: week 13

MONDAY: Rest

TUESDAY: 3M

WEDNESDAY: Rest

THURSDAY: Rest

FRIDAY: Rest

SATURDAY: 3M

SUNDAY: 9M

So, it looks like I'm making up my own training plan for Glass Slipper Challenge, but I'm really not meaning to! While training for Dumbo, I thought I did pretty well getting all my back-to-back runs in and mixing it up with cross training. Now, I can't seem to get a decent run over 4 miles in to save my life!

I did get to do my version of speedwork on New Year's Eve, so there's that. What?! I know. I ran over to the track and did about 4 loops where I ran as fast as I could for half of it and then walked to catch my breathe for the other half. One day, I'm going to figure out how to do it, but for now, I was pretty proud of myself! PS- it's really hard to breathe in cold weather. 

Thursday, I had every intention of getting my workout in- I was even willing to go to the park because I wasn't in the mood to fight the Resolutioners at the gym- but that's when the Nor'easter hit us. I was going to try to get some yoga in- remember when I used to do that?!- but I got distracted. That seems to be a trend. . . 

Technically this week is supposed to be a down week, but since I missed the back-to-back last week and next weekend I'll be in Disneyworld, I figured I need to get one done. Clearly, the universe thought differently. Saturday, the weather felt like -9 (no lie) so I wasn't feeling like being out in it. I walked my 3 miles on the treadmill at the gym. Today, the weather called for a 30% chance of freezing rain after 9am- I was really hoping they were lying and I could get 11 miles in before it got gross. 

Beautiful looking death trap.

Yea, they weren't. I was ok for the 1st 4 miles. It was cold, but totally do-able. My right knee was giving me trouble, but I only have myself to blame for that one. Just because I only walked the day before, doesn't mean I shouldn't stretch and roll! Once I got over that, the freezing rain came. For the record, freezing rain is worse than snow. I nearly ate ice about 5 times before I called it quits at 9 miles. On top of that, I had to ride back to Brooklyn in my soaking wet clothes. The waterproof jacket- I didn't forgot this time!- didn't making much of a difference. Thanks for being a royal jerk, Mother Nature. 

Luckily, I have the best partner ever, who before leaving for work, set up the tea kettle while I was defrosting in the shower. That was the best idea ever, along with layering but my feet are still cold, no matter how many pairs of socks I put on! Remind me again why I like winter training?!

Stay tuned to see even more fun ways I can royally botch my training plan next week!

PS- If you're going to Disney this week, I'll be volunteering at the Half Marathon on Saturday! I'll be in the finish line area, but I don't know what that means exactly. If you see me, come say hello! 

So you wanna runDisney: Part 2

Last year before marathon weekend, I complied a list of some tips for running a runDisney race. Here's a few more to add to the list!

PACKING:

Gallon Ziplock bags are your best friend. I learned this from many people's Ragnar packing tips. Each race outfit gets it's own ziploc bag. Makes packing easy, makes unpacking easier (everything is in one place!) and repacking smelly clothes? EASIEST!

Powerstrips are amazing. 3+ runners in a room + 3+ electronics each? There won't be enough outlets. Who am I kidding? There are never enough outlets without the running electronics. Invest in a powerstrip. They've saved me on many occasions.

Garbage Bags save your compression shorts. I bring them every racecation- in case it's raining or cold. I'm pretty sure I've read this over and over but it just recently hit me- bring one to sit on, silly! RunDisney gets you to races SUPER early (especially the night ones), I stressed my first TOT because we got to the start 3 hours early and I wanted to save my legs. For Everest and my 2nd TOT, I just sat on the concrete; that doesn't mix well with my running shorts, trust me. Bring the bag. It's a smart plan.

BREAKFAST:

These work for me and they're completely travel friendly!

Most on property hotels were offering breakfast boxes, but you have to buy them the night before. They most likely won't be open early enough for you to get one before you have to get on a bus.

In case your room doesn't have a coffeemaker, the 5ks usually have coffee by the start line (but of course, this is all subject to change). I don't recall from any of the other races.

RACE MORNING:

Credit: FruitFly

GET THERE EARLY! I cannot stress that enough for Disney races. Every race, I hear horror stories. I was almost one myself for Princess this year- and I was on one of the 1st buses! Also, for you multiple morning people- just because there was a surplus of buses one morning, does not mean they'll be there the next (that's a true story from The Art of Animation hotel last year). Remember that garbage bag? Curl up on the concrete and get a few extra winks in, but at least you'll be there.

If you're doing a challenge: Stop for characters in the earlier races, that way you can save the time you're on the course during the marathon and skip the ones you got previously. (Except for the 10k, don't stop for characters during the 10k. It's the only race I'm running and I don't want to wait in long lines ;)

POST-RACE/MARATHON:

Schedule a dinner in one of the parks that's having magical hours or Downtown Disney. It will force you to walk around and that really helped in recovery. It was one of the best decisions we made last year (plus, it was Be Our Guest. win win!)

UPDATE:

DURING THE RACE:

Chapstick doubles as Vaseline if you feel a hot spot coming on and not near a medical tent. And vice versa- Vaseline works if you forget your chapstick!

Can you think of anything I'm missing?

(3 things) low key holidays, reasons to runDisney, and special edition New Balances

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and a great new year so far! It's been pretty low key around here. We cooked and movie marathoned for Christmas and hung out with friends in the neighborhood for New Years. Honestly, as much as I miss my family and love getting to visit, this extremely relaxing staycation was very much needed. I feel refreshed. Another goal for 2014: add some real vacations into the mix!  (again, not a new concept, but if I keep repeating it, maybe it'll happen).

So, what's the next thing to start looking forward to?

Marathon weekend! 

The only runDisney race (I believe) I didn't run in costume.

Who's going Dopey? As marathon weekend gets closer, I was a little concerned I would regret only registering for the 10k and not signing up for the half marathon. It's safe to say, I'm not! I'm actually really excited that I get to run a Disney race I've never run before (hence, inaugural, haha!), have a runDisney volunteer experience and then spectate all my friends going Dopey for the full marathon! It'll be a short and sweet trip that will get me ready for the real challenge, The Glass Slipper Challenge. 

If you haven't already, you should check out my guest post over at The Digital Running Club and find out my Top 5 reasons to runDisney (as if you don't know them already ;) 

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And speaking of the rD: The 2014 New Balance special edition runDisney shoes were officially revealed today. Pink Minnie and Sorcerer Mickey are the new styles for the stability shoe. This year, they also added a neutral option with Cinderella and Goofy. All 4 of these, as well as a new children's line, are exclusive to the runDisney race expos. I'm a fan of the pink Minnie shoes, but I wish they came in neutral. New Balance also has a new system for purchasing the shoes (ie NOT standing in line for hours), so maybe they'll be more appealing for a later race? 

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I'm still lusting after the NYC Limited Edition NYC 890v4. If it has NYCM on it, I need it in my life apparently. I think I smell a birthday present?