A New Love for the 'Mill

I have never really been a fan of treadmill running.  Part of the joy of running is being outside and taking in my surroundings and actually, you know, going places.  I never much understood the point of running in place for miles.  I've always been a winter warrior, running outside in all temperatures and weather.  I've run in 100 degree summers and run during the polar vortex last year, when I had icicles form on my eyelashes. 

While, I still prefer to run outside for all the reasons I just mentioned, I am discovering a new found love of the treadmill.  I recently joined a gym and for the first time in ages, I have access to a treadmill for the coldest and snowiest of days (and in Rochester, that can be pretty cold and snowy).  I can't believe the difference that it makes.  I find myself enjoying my runs inside on the treadmill.  It's not hard to enjoy not running in below zero temperatures.

What changed?  I think it's the ability to have extreme control over my workout.  If I want to run hills, I can.  If I want to run reverse splits I can.  If I want to listen to music and watch the food network on mute while I run, I can. It's making for a nice change.

While I think I will always prefer the pure joy of a 10 miler outside, I'm no longer as anti-mill as I have been.  ...Not falling on the ice is also a nice bonus :)

Splash N Dash Racecation at Walt Disney World -Day 1 (Animal Kingdom)

Let me start by saying I have total race envy right now of everyone who got to complete the Dopey Challenge at WDW Marathon Weekend (or any of the races really) or the Rebel Challenge at Disneyland.  Both of those challenges are on my runDisney bucket list.  Seriously though, congratulations to all those who completed them.

In order to make me feel less FOMO about not being at the events these past two weekends, it's finally time for some more Splash N Dash Recap.  I left off after the expo.

After the Expo, Andrew and I returned to our room at Saratoga Springs and dropped off our race stuff.  I also had to grab my Donald Mickey ears for our afternoon in Disney's Animal Kingdom.  I definitely wish I had more pictures for this one.

Since we had to wait forever for a bus back to Saratoga (seriously, every other hotel had 2 buses show up before ours did), I had to push back our Fastpass+ for Kilamanjaro Safaris.  Fortunately, I was able to do so and before long we were off on our first attraction in Disney World.

Confession: I have never been a huge fan of the safari.  I love animals, but I don't often get to spot them.  This time however, one of the giraffes must have known it was half marathon weekend because he was running all over the place!  This picture is him stopping for a snack:

We were starving after our safari ended, but our Expedition Everest window was about to open.  We headed over to Asia and rode Everest.  Disco Yeti was actually working!  I don't think I've ever been on the ride when the audio anamatronic was working but it is truly wonderful.  The stand by wait was only 10 minutes at that time, so we obviously rode again.

We finally had time to stop to eat before our next Fastpass+ at Dinosaur (but really, Countdown to Extinction).  Andrew got his lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, however they don't have any vegetarian options on the menu, so I was out of luck.  Luckily, I was able to get a quick-service veggie burger not too far away.  It was spicy, but pretty tasty.

After lunch, we still had about fifteen minutes before our Fastpass+ window opened.  Who do we see walking by, but Safari Donald.  Donald is both mine and Andrew's favorite character so we obviously had to stop for a picture:

Donald Duck is #1! (He was also a big fan of my ears)

After riding Dinosaur, which is actually one of my favorite attractions, we had one final stop to make... I had to meet Dug!

I absolutely LOVE Up. And I wore my "Adventure is out there shirt for this occasion!

I really enjoy Animal Kingdom...but it was time to park hop to Epcot!

NYC Marathon Lottery

I know everyone is buzzing with the excitement of runDisney's marathon weekend this past weekend and Star Wars this upcoming weekend!  I've been following everyone's blogs and Instagrams and Facebook updates with jealousy!  The Dopey Challenge has been number 1 on my running bucket list from the moment it was announced.

However, number 2 on that running bucket list is the NYC marathon.  My dad, uncle, and cousin have all completed the NYC marathon and I want to join in the family tradition!  The lottery to get in opened at noon today and I signed up immediately.  Now it's wait and see!  March 3 cannot get here soon enough.

Fingers crossed for all who wish to get in!

Interested?  Here's the link to the website: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/

Wine & Dine Half Marathon (Splash & Dash) 2014 -The Expo

Life has been absolutely nuts with the holidays sneaking up on me so quickly and getting out of my routine.  Things are finally calming down, just in time for Christmas to make everything busy again!

About a month ago I ran rundisney's Wine and DIne Half Marathon which has been renamed the "Splash and Dash" half marathon. I'll recap that race soon, but I'll start at the beginning with this post...the EXPO!

It was so much fun to spend this weekend with my BFF from college, Andrew.  About a year ago, I convinced him that running a half marathon was an excellent idea and that we should go to Disney to do it.  Luckily for me he agreed, and we spent the better part of the last year texting each other (we live 11 hours apart) conversations like this:

K: Remember that time we're going to Disney World?
A: I know!!!

I arrived in Orlando late Thursday night and then eagerly and impatiently waited for Andrew's flight to arrive.  Finally, I saw him heading toward the Magical Express terminal, our designated meeting place!

Soon we were on our way to Saratoga Springs.  Andrew is DVC so we booked through his membership, and Saratoga was a host resort.  Having run this race last year, that was a relief for me.

After getting lost in the dark trying to find the room, we finally arrived.  One of my favorite touches is the mouse ears left by Mousekeeping!

Having never stayed at Saratoga Springs before, I took pictures of everything, including the room number!

We were in the Carousel building.

Such a pretty resort, just after sunrise.

We planned to get to the expo as soon as it opened at 10:00AM on Friday.  I absolutely require breakfast in the morning and I was so excited for some Mickey waffles.  I loved that there were three small waffles rather than one big one, everyone knows the ears are the best part!

Everything tastes better when shaped like Mickey, am I right?

After breakfast, we headed over to the bus stop and waited in the first line of our trip:

Race weekend transportation is the number one reason to stay at a host resort.

Before long, we were on our way to the expo.  Once the bus arrived, the line moved rather quickly and we arrived at Wide World of Sports just before the expo opened.

 

One thing to know about the Wine & Dine Expo is that packet pick up is in a separate location from shirt pick up, vendors and the rest of the expo.  While it initially sounds like a pain, it really helps to dissipate some of the crowding. We headed to packet pick up first. I didn't have much of a line to pick up my packet:

I'm still so proud of myself for being in Corral A!

I was very excited for the countdown...Andrew, not so much!

When we headed to the shirt pick up location, I was surprised that it wasn't that crowded.  Bonus points for having women's sizes this year...my shirt actually fits me! It was then that I realized where all the crowds were: at the official merchandise booth!  What a zoo!  I fought through the crowds and decided to tempt fate by buying the I Did It! shirt.  Yes, I was one of those souls that bought the shirt with the backwards arrows...not going to lie, it makes me love it that much more!

Finally we left the expo because we had Fastpass reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom to be getting to.  But not before taking a quick picture:

I loved these backdrops!  Thanks for taking the picture kind stranger!

If you're here, thanks for reading this long post!  More recaps of this trip will be coming your way soon!

Home Again

I got home late last night from a whirlwind trip to Walt Disney World for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon.  Updates are to come, but for now:

* I did it!
* Andrew did it!
* It was a blast!

Wine & Dine Packing List

Tomorrow, I'm Disney bound!  I have to confess, I've been thinking about packing for this race for weeks.  I'm definitely an over-packer and I like to be prepared for all eventualities.  For most vacations, that can be unnecessary.  However, for a "race-cation" it's best to be prepared.  Here's my packing list.

Wearing on the plane:
* running sneakers
* Garmin
* baseball hat

Running Gear for the Race: 
* socks
* extra set of sneakers
* sports bras
* shorts
* capris
* running shirt
* sweatyband (minnie themed, of course)
* sweat armband
* throwaway clothes

4 Days in the Parks
* socks
* swimsuit
* pj bottoms and t shirt
* easy run clothes
* disney t shirts (3)
* disney sweater
* last years W&D shirt and hoodie
* yoga pants
* jeans

Other
* ponchos
* safety pins (usually provided, but I like to be prepared)
* watch charger
* phone charger
* race waivers
* expo coupons
* cereal
* ID/travel documents
* Magic Express ticket
* Magicband
* Cash
* wallet
* vera clutch
* string backpack
* sunglasses
* mousse, lotion, hairspray
* hair ties & clips
* deoderant
* toothbrush/paste
* CHI
* makeup

Am I forgetting anything? What do you pack for a night race?

Last Week Before Wine & Dine

I can't believe it's less than one week until RunDisney's 2014 Wine and Dine Half Marathon at the Walt Disney World Resort!  I'm so excited and time is moving at a glacial pace.

However, all this nervous energy was great for my running and I had a strong week:

Monday: 3.22 Miles (9:23 pace)

Tuesday: 9.6 Miles (8:40 pace)

Wednesday: 7.24 Miles (8:40 pace)

Thursday: 1.1 Miles (9:35 pace)

Friday: 10.14 Miles (8:52 pace)

Saturday: 7.11 Miles (9:23 pace)

Sunday: 9.23 Miles (8:37 pace)

Total Weekly Mileage: 47.5 Miles
Run Streak: 188

(I'm clearly very excited about 4 days until Orlando)