Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

Tink Tuesday: Double Digits!

My training for Tink has been sad, to say the least. The last half I ran was the Disneyland Half over Labor Day in September. Since then it's been on and off. I had a handful of 6 mile runs, including a 10k PR in October. But after that.... not so much. The chilly fall weather made me not want to run outside, so I joined my local gym. I've been averaging a few 3-4 mile runs per week with my longest being 7 miles about 2 weeks ago. 

Weekly Recap

Tues: 2 miles

Wed: rest

Thurs: 4 miles

Fri: rest

Sat: rest

Sun: 10 miles

Mon: rest

Christmas Eve, I went for a quick run with my husband. It was the first time in over a month that I had run outside. I think I got so used to running on a treadmill that the moving scenery and wind made me dizzy! 

It's become a tradition for my cousins and I to go on a run together the morning after a holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas). It was an easy 4 miler through my Grandma's scenic neighborhood. 

This Sunday I had my long run. I kept seeing the "Countdown to Tink" number get smaller and smaller  and smaller and with just 18 days until I leave for Disneyland, I knew I needed to get some serious mileage in. My initial plan was for 8 miles, with 10 miles next Sunday. Not ideal for my first double-digit run since September to be only two weeks before the Tink half, but it would have to do. 

The husband went with me and figured we'd only make it 6 miles. Challenge accepted! I knew I wanted to complete at least 8, but I was feeling pretty good. No hip pain! (If you'll recall, my hip has been bothering me lately, even to the point of hurting when I wasn't running. I got a foam roller and started stretching religiously.) 

I got this Gaiam foam roller from Target.

I ended up going 10 miles! I'll adjust my training plan to do 8 miles next week. I feel a lot more prepared to run a half in 3 weeks. :) 

My running app says 10 miles...

But my FitBit says a little over 9.... Hmm... I *may* need to adjust my FitBit settings.

How is your training going? I know there are a lot of WDW Marathon and Tink Half Weekenders out there! 

Holiday recap

I'm finally getting back on track after the whirlwind that is Christmas. It was full of family, gifts, food, and hanging out. All the things I love!

The husband and I spent Christmas Even just the two of us. We made a yummy home cooked meal and exchanged gifts. It was one of the most relaxing Christmas Eve's I've had!

Our tree! 

I gave Dearest some euros for our upcoming trip to Italy. 

Then it was off to Grandma's house for Christmas! We had a super yummy prime rib dinner. Complete with champagne and wine! :) 

One of my little cousins got a TON of legos. Look how cool they are now!

And of course, there was a quick photo-op of Dearest in a graduation cap. He opted not to walk for graduation (too boring). I don't blame him; I didn't walk for my graduation either.

How was your holiday? 

Tinker Bell Official Race Guide

Here are a few highlights from the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Official Race Guide!

You can find it here. 

I am really loving how beautiful the logo is! Also, some future runDisney race dates. 

Expo and other important times.

Park hours.

Check out the Park Hours/Calendar on the Disney website for other info on shows/parade times. Fantasmic! will be dark the entire weekend, but World of Color is showing Friday-Monday night.

Packet Pick-up information. I'll be making the rounds to all the stations- anyone else running all 3 events? 

5k information. I'll be dressing up for this event. Will you? 

10k & Half start and finish areas. 

Spectator viewing information.

Who's excited??? 

runDisney Registration Dates

Thinking about your next runDisney event? (I know I am!) Here's a quick glimpse into upcoming registration dates.

** Confirmed registration dates. **

Expedition Everest

Event date: May 3rd, 2014

Registration opens: December 17th Noon EST

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

Event date: August 29-31, 2014

Registration: January 28th 2014 Noon EST

** 2013 Events that have passed, but future 2014 registration has not been announced yet. **

Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend

Event date: October 3-4, 2014 

(2013 event registration date: February 12, 2013)

Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Event date: November 7-8, 2014

(2013 event registration date: March 12, 2013)

** Upcoming 2014 events, but registration is sold out*. Charity spots may still be available. **

WDW Marathon Weekend

Event date: January 8-12, 2014

(2014 event registration opened April 9, 2013)
2015 Event Date: Jan 7-11, 2015

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend

Event date: January 16-19, 2014

(2014 event registration opened July 9, 2013)
2015 Event Date: May 7-10, 2015

Princess Half Marathon Weekend

*5k spots still available (as of 12/24)

Event date: February 20-23, 2014

(2014 event registration opened June 11, 2013)

I'm in for Tinker Bell and Wine & Dine 2014. Still debating the Disneyland Half. Hoping for WDW 2015 to be my first marathon! :)

What are your runDisney plans? 

Tinker Bell Half Corrals & 10k Course Map!

The Tinker Bell Half Corral Assignments have been released! A lot of people, myself included, thought there would be a lot more corrals- following the increase seen for Tower of Terror, Wine & Dine and the WDW Marathon weekends. Maybe they're sticking to fewer corrals for the Disneyland races?

Truthfully, I'm excited! If you remember, I ran a 10k PR specifically so I could submit it for Tink placement. I think I may have just squeaked into Corral A! :) Probably the one and only time. Haha. 

 The 10k course map was also released! It's not the same as the Disneyland 10k course (it ran past the Anaheim Convention Center). 

I do find it interesting that the race starts going north- I'm used to the DL 1/2 which goes south first. It looks great, but I'm disappointed that we won't be running through Downtown Disney and that the last 2 miles are also outside the parks. Thoughts?

Italy Bound!

To celebrate my husband's recent completion of college, we're going to Italy! 

Okay, so it's not just about celebrating his graduation. I've been begging him to go to Italy for a while now. The architecture, the food, the culture, the art, and did I mention the architecture? The photographer in me is drooling with excitement!

I knew we'd have to wait until he was done with school, but I also wanted to go before we had kids. And we're hoping to have kids in the next few years, so... Doesn't leave a huge window of time, huh? His job doesn't start until February- when else would we have such an open window of time for us to take off? So what started as mere mention of an idea (proposed by my husband) has now turned into booked airplane tickets and Air BnB reservations. Yay! :) 

Our Itinerary...

Rome

 Florence

 Venice

We're not leaving until after Tinker Bell weekend (can you believe that it's just a month away?!), but I will definitely be recapping both my Tinker Bell running adventures and my Italy trip. :)