I can't believe that I am less that two weeks away from RunDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon at the Walt Disney World Resort. I'm officially 11 days away from boarding an Orlando-bound plane and time is moving like molasses. I just want the weekend to get here already!
I've been on call this week for work so getting runs in has required a lot of planning and some very early morning runs. Normally, I'm not a fan of "fall back" time because of how early it gets dark. However, a sunrise around 7:30AM is equally depressing. I might be in the minority here, but can I have summer back now, please?
My challenge this weekend was back to back double digit running days. At this point, I'm not especially worried about finishing 13.1 (although on race day ANYTHING can happen and you have to respect the distance). My big concern is being able to enjoy the after party at the Food and Wine Festival with minimal pain and soreness. I'm pushing my training beyond what I would normally train for a half marathon with this in mind. In order to mimic fatigue and soreness that I might feel in the last few miles of the race and after the race at the party and touring the parks, I decided to attempt back to backs. Back to backs can be a great training tool as long as you are conscious of how your body is responding and don't push your pace too hard.
I'm glad to say I felt great running on both days. I think I can categorically say that I am ready for Wine and Dine. BONUS: My running streak surpassed the 180 mark this weekend. Today was day 181 in a row that I have run at least a mile. I think I'm definitely going to run in Disney before and after the race so I can make it to 200!!!
The Week in Review:
Monday: 2.4 miles (9:38 pace)
Tuesday: 5.5 miles (9:02 pace)
Wednesday: 2.5 miles (9:29 pace)
Thursday: 8.3 miles (9:00 pace)
Friday: 5.4 miles (9:02 pace)
Saturday: 10.2 miles (9:05 pace)
Sunday: 10.6 miles (8:58 pace)
Weekly Total: 44.9 miles
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Wine & Dine Tune Up
This morning I was able to participate in the inaugural Finish Strong 15k.
The plan was to treat it like a low-key tune up before RunDisney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon. I hoped to run somewhere between 8:00 and 8:30 splits and take my time. Of course, by the time the race starts, I can get a little competitive. Judging from my watch, that's exactly what happened:
The race itself was definitely a challenge. Rochester is pretty hilly and this course definitely had enough hills to be getting on with. Normally, hills don't throw me. However, when the hills are combined with some rain and the first truly chilly day of the year, and a not insignificant headwind, it becomes quite an adventure. It was definitely a race I had to power through. I ran strong and finished strong as well:
The plan was to treat it like a low-key tune up before RunDisney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon. I hoped to run somewhere between 8:00 and 8:30 splits and take my time. Of course, by the time the race starts, I can get a little competitive. Judging from my watch, that's exactly what happened:
Me after the finish!
After bundling up to stay warm, I waited for the race results to be posted. I was surprised to see that I finished first in my age group. I even got a medal:
I'm going to go ahead and call it a GREAT tune-up race. 19 days until I'm bound for Walt Disney World!
Friday, October 10, 2014
Wine and Dine Corral Assignments Released
When I ran last year's Wine and Dine half marathon with my dad I was stoked to discover that my first half marathon time had placed me into Corral B. I didn't end up running out of this corral, instead choosing to run with my dad, but it was exciting to know that I could have been in that corral. It was exciting UNTIL I discovered that I had just missed the cutoff for getting into Corral A.
Since then, I have been working very hard to have a faster half marathon time, not just for the new PR satisfaction but also to get into the elusive A Corral. This July, I ran the Shoreline Multisport Festival Half Marathon with the goal of getting a time to submit. I'm so happy I did because the 1:41:39 I turned in gave me my Corral A ticket.
When the Corral information was released and I realized I got into Corral A, I practically skipped around my office. I was so happy!!!
Now it's just time to count down the days. 27 days until I'm on my way to Walt Disney World for the 2014 RunDisney Wine and Dine half marathon!
You can check your corral placement here: Wine and Dine 2014 Corrals
Since then, I have been working very hard to have a faster half marathon time, not just for the new PR satisfaction but also to get into the elusive A Corral. This July, I ran the Shoreline Multisport Festival Half Marathon with the goal of getting a time to submit. I'm so happy I did because the 1:41:39 I turned in gave me my Corral A ticket.
When the Corral information was released and I realized I got into Corral A, I practically skipped around my office. I was so happy!!!
Now it's just time to count down the days. 27 days until I'm on my way to Walt Disney World for the 2014 RunDisney Wine and Dine half marathon!
You can check your corral placement here: Wine and Dine 2014 Corrals
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Wine & Dine 2014 -Event Guide Released
In less than one month, I will be on my way to Walt Disney World for the 2014 Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Now that the countdown clock is showing a lower number, I can't even begin to say how excited I am. The trip comes at the end of my busiest week of the semester at work, and I'll definitely be ready for this mini-cation.
I've been counting the days since the countdown number was in the triple digits, and when the number got to 30 today, I was so excited (I'm obviously counting down the days until I enter the world, not the race). I was even more excited to see that the event guide was released!!!
You can find it here: 2014 Wine and Dine Event Guide
I already have read the whole guide *almost* cover to cover and will likely do so many more times before the race on November 8. I'm an obsessive planner, so I like to have all the information at my fingertips.
One thing I did notice was that the expo started at 10:00AM on Friday. For some reason I was working under the assumption that it started at 9:00AM. I was worried about the Fastpass reservations I had previously made. But even with transportation to and from the expo, hopefully we can make it to Animal Kingdom by 12:05 for our 11:05-12:05 Kilimanjaro Safaris fastpass!!! Honestly, as long as I get to ride Everest and Dinosaur, I'm happy!
What are your must do attractions in Disney's Animal Kingdom?
I've been counting the days since the countdown number was in the triple digits, and when the number got to 30 today, I was so excited (I'm obviously counting down the days until I enter the world, not the race). I was even more excited to see that the event guide was released!!!
You can find it here: 2014 Wine and Dine Event Guide
I already have read the whole guide *almost* cover to cover and will likely do so many more times before the race on November 8. I'm an obsessive planner, so I like to have all the information at my fingertips.
One thing I did notice was that the expo started at 10:00AM on Friday. For some reason I was working under the assumption that it started at 9:00AM. I was worried about the Fastpass reservations I had previously made. But even with transportation to and from the expo, hopefully we can make it to Animal Kingdom by 12:05 for our 11:05-12:05 Kilimanjaro Safaris fastpass!!! Honestly, as long as I get to ride Everest and Dinosaur, I'm happy!
What are your must do attractions in Disney's Animal Kingdom?
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