Motivation = Down

I can't tell if I'm having a couple of down days or if this is really what Disneyland and Dumbo are going to turn into...
I bought our plane tickets for Dumbo on Friday. That's about the only thing that's gone right with this whole thing, and even then that's messed up.
We're flying into John Wayne, so not very far away... But we're flying out of San Diego - which is two hours from Disneyland... In good traffic. And no clue how we'll be getting there. We'll probably end up leaving at like 10 just to make sure we get to the airport with plenty of time. Of course, the return flights have a 60% and 50% rate of being on-time. I've never knowingly bought tickets that said anything less than, oh, 80%. Not if I could help it.
At least the plane tickets were fairly cheap in comparison to others I saw - the cheapest, actually.

And the hotels at Disneyland are sold out. Or rather, I found one that was available every day we needed it - EXCEPT the night before the half! ::facepalm::

So I'll be calling tomorrow to see what I can get figured out. The hubs says he'll do it, but the fact of the matter is... I'm our trip planner, usually. Comparing hotels, plane tickets, you name it.
I'm getting sick of being told to not worry about it. I've been hearing that for months, but now it really IS time to worry about it, when even nearby hotels seem to be sold out, AND I'm probably going to end up paying the $600 donation minimum just to run in the races!

It seems likes just when things start working out, they don't.

I tried for a month to get ahold of someone about holding a family walk/run to raise money for the charity... Would you believe I finally got ahold of someone at the beginning of this month? I had the possibilities all planned out, and then when I put my foot down because people got carried away with planning without consulting me, I got "Oh, well, we don't have enough time to do this, forget about it!" Well, we HAD enough time then. Now I've barely got a month before the fundraising deadline, and what's the use of me bringing up any other fundraising ideas when the three I've had have completely fallen through in some way or another?

I'm starting to wonder what the point in all of this really is. The fact of the matter is that this trip was supposed to be fun, but now it's just a pain in the neck.

Oh, and I double-booked us on pasta parties. RunDisney only sends out Disneyland Half Weekend RACE registration confirmations from one section, and the rest from another - at least, they did that for me, but not DH. So I thought we didn't have Pasta in the Park tickets.
Well, we do.
And now we have tickets for the free pasta dinner with the charity.
Same day. Same time.
Do you go to the party you paid an arm and a leg for, or the free party where you get to meet the people you've been raising attempting to raise money for?
Or do you find a way to go to both?

It's just one nightmare after another, and I can't help but ask myself why I'm going, other than what's been paid - and what's going to come out of my bank account when I don't reach the fundraising minimum. Ouch.

My annual appointment sounds more fun than this. Although I never saw the big deal about annuals, once you get past the first one.
But that's beside the point.

Well, it's now 12:01.
45 days until Disneyland.
Woo.
Goodnight.

How to start a Sunday:

1) Wake up at 7:44(ish). Check Facebook. Be amazed at the people awake before you, and the fact that you naturally woke up at this time. Blame work for the fact that you naturally wake up by 8:30.
2) Go back to sleep. You know you want to.
3) Wake up at about 10:14 to your husband rifling around in the kitchen. Realize that it's after 10, and that you just had a dream about running the WDW Marathon... Excited, or nervous about not being well-prepared?
4) Laze about for a bit. Contemplate reading after blogging about your running dream.
5) Take the clothes out of the dryer.
6) Look up races, and daydream about doing them. Include your own little cheering squad in said daydreams, as you look up two marathons.
7) ... Decide to go for a run today. Three weeks ago was exhausting, putting in over 40 miles. Two weeks ago had a little bit in my new Saucony Ride 6 running shoes. Last week had next-to-nothing, and my skin recognized (and complained!) about the difference. Why not start this week off with some miles, and get used to your new shoes? Contemplate before or after work, and decide that both might work if you get your butt in gear. Feel disappointment/discouragement over the lack of a fan in in the apartment complex's workout room.
8) Check the runDisney training schedules for Dumbo and Dopey. Exhale in relief that you're ahead of schedule, and not behind.

Yes, ladies and gents, that is my morning to right now (11:25 AM CDT).
It's so amazing that a year and a half ago, I was contemplating running. Vaguely. I think I started in either late February or early March of 2012 - I don't remember which.
Back then, a 5K sounded reasonable, yet intimidating. A 10K sounded scary as hell. A 7-miler, for one of my dream races, sounded like, well, a dream... And a nightmare all the same. No way I was ready for it! A half marathon was, at best, hilarious. A marathon? Shoot me in the foot.

Now it's July 7. 23 days until I'm 23. I've done 4(?) 5Ks, a half marathon, a virtual half marathon, 4 virtual 10Ks, 2 virtual 1-milers (and still have one to go!).
Oh, and all of those virtual runs were in that exhausting week two weeks ago.

Can anybody say "Learn to balance"? That's what I'm still working on.

In the next 3 months I have... that virtual 1-miler... 5K or 10K for my own virtual run. I have another virtual race on the 25th (I forget what distance, though...). 2.3 miles for a virtual birthday run for me. A virtual 10K for Harry Potter's birthday.

Yes, you read that right. I'll say it again: A 10K for Harry Potter's birthday.
Yes, I know when that is. It's the day after mine (and 10 years before - holy geez, Harry Potter is going to be 33!! LOL)

Anyway... Not too much in August, other than THE START OF THE DUMBO DOUBLE DARE!!!!

Yes, that was important enough that it needed to be in all caps.
Be glad I didn't bold, underline, and italicize it ;)

So I have the 10K on August 31, and the half on September 1. A virtual.... Some-distance-or-other  (Nerd Herd Running's Banned Book run). The Prairie Dog Virtual Half. And I'm waiting to see what else I cram in these next few months, or in October. Hoping to add a couple more half marathons, or a marathon in there somewhere.
...
Must consult with the hubs. One of my biggest cheerleaders, he also brings me back down if I start having race mania - that is, trying to sign up for every race I possibly can.
Sometimes I'm not the practical one. Go figure (insert eye-roll).

Now, as far as that WDW Marathon dream... It was definitely one of those that first made me think I was worried about being unprepared - which I am, but I wasn't expecting to dream about it! Haven't had a running dream in a while.

I dreamed that everybody was ready to go, and I... Was still in my pajamas. At the start line. And all of my stuff was on a school bus... And the school bus had driven away. So there I am, running and looking for the school bus. I find the bus, and have to dig through giant piles to find my bag of clothes. I even found my sleeping bag! After a while I finally find my clothes... Found my running shorts, but couldn't find my sports bra or a shirt.
As I was about to give up, I found my sports bra. Nevermind shoes or a shirt, because I don't remember how those cropped up. So I run back to the start line, and my dad's waiting for me! Weirdness number one (well... Yeah...). Next weirdness, my husband is nowhere in sight! My dad is wielding my DSLR, looking super confused.
...
And the last wave has already started. Nevermind that I should've been in the second-to-last corral. I crossed the start line about 30 seconds after everyone else... And joined the group in getting lost in this little catle-like-thing that depicted the homes of different Disney characters, and you had to find your way out. Included running down stairs (or jumping down small holes, if you preferred that to the stairs).

Then I woke up. Anti-climactic, I know. But the husband was moving around in the kitchen, and it was after 10, so it was definitely time to get up.

Well, looks like it's time for yours truly to get moving. Hope everyone has a great day!

Victoria's Secret. Yes, Really

Hi, my name is Victoria, and I'm awful at keeping secrets.

Ok, 1) that's a lie. 2) it makes me think of the stereotype for AA/NA/GA/etc. meetings.
"Hi, I'm [name], and I'm an addict."

But the fact of the matter is, I've got an amazing secret that I can't keep.
Well, I guess it's not really a secret, but it's fun to say it is. After all, friends make secrets, but secrets don't make friends, right?

ANYWHO!

You may remember me saying I'm running with the A-T Children's Project's Disneyland CureTeam over Labor Day weekend, and talking about fundraising to support the A-TCP?
Well, we got a virtual run up and, well, running! There are a few different levels:

• $10 for non-runners
• $25 for a 5k, 10k, or basically any other distance. This level includes an A-TCP decal
• $50 for a half or full marathon (or a shorter distance, if you so desire and want the shirt). This level includes and A-TCP t-shirt.
• Other - the option that gives you a little more leeway to pick and choose donation amounts.

I'm really quite excited for the whole thing. It'll be my first time hosting a virtual run, and I think it'll be their first virtual run ever for the A-TCP, so it'll be a fun experience for us all!

Here's the link to the Facebook page: Victoria's Not So Secret Virtual Run Facebook Page

Here's the link to the registration page: Victoria's Not So Secret Virtual Run.

Both pages give information on the charity, the run, as well as information on Team Randy and Alex.

Also, I want to clarify that it may be a virtual run... But all fitness levels and paces are welcome.

If you could like the Facebook page and share with your friends, that would be wonderful, and greatly appreciated!

That said, it's time for me to turn in for the night. Have a lovely night, ya'll :) 

For the love of virtual racing!

I just did my first virtual race yesterday! :) I don't have the info right off hand, but 6.2 miles in `1:23:58 (that sounds about right).

I'm starting to really take an interest in virtual races, partly as a motivator and a training technique for Dumbo and for Dopey.

The hubs has been really supportive about the whole virtual race thing - which is cool, because I've signed up for a BUNCH. Motivation has been down lately, due to a combination of the heat, work, being tired, etc. etc. etc. And I was ok making excuses. Too tired, it's too late, I just don't want to, my hair will get all sweaty and gross, it's too hot...

Ok, that last one is decently acceptable, because I'm mainly a treadmill runner. I use the treadmill in our apartment complex's fitness room, and in the last, oh, 7-8 months or so, they put up signs that they don't want us to open the windows. And running on a treadmill without any sort of cross-breeze to help you keep cool is, well, not cool.
Part of me wants to ignore it, because that room gets absurdly hot and stuffy, and they don't have any fans in there (safe/healthy? I think not). The other part of me acknowledges that they put the signs up for a reason. Whether it's pest control or not wanting people forgetting the windows are open, or maybe the windows have been broken in the past, I don't know.

Although, in all actuality, this is good motivation for me to get back to the base to work out. Yeah, it involves driving to get over there and all, but at least there are fans.

We call this the contemplation stage. I'm aware I need to make a change, I'm just not quite ready to do it.
Heck, I've thought about just bringing my own fan into the fitness room, but that either involves lugging a fan back and forth (like I want to haul that up to the third floor after a long workout...) or donating a fan... There IS a Goodwill right down the road, though...

Anyway, back to virtual runs.
Like I said, I completed my first one last night! Now let's see what all I have left...

Before the end of the month I need to do the Moon Joggers Full Strawberry Moon Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. I'll be doing the half.
I've also got the Pluto Virtual Race (think Disney's Pluto) for... Maybe a 10K, I'm undecided. The hubs will be doing the mile.
Then there's the Mickey Mouse Virtual Run, for which I'll be doing 10k the hubs will be doing 5k.
The Donald will be available in the coming week, and I'll do another 10k for that, and the hubs will be doing a 5k.

(Note: Anyone interested in the Pluto, Mickey, or Donald virtual races... the proceeds go to the ASPCA!)

Next month is the Birthday Run, which I plan to do on my birthday. 2.3 miles, for turning 23.
Immediately after (or any time during that week) is the Nerd Herd Running virtual Happy Birthday Harry Potter 5k and 10k.

I admit it, my birthday is the day before Harry Potter's.
I admit that I know this.

His birth year is also 10 years before mine.

Yes, I'm actually aware of these facts. Hence the run ☺
I missed their May the 4th (be with you) 5K, but I do want to hit the Banned Book Week 5k and Half Marathon in September... Which is right after the Prairie Dog Half Virtual... As in, they're in the same week.
Obviously I didn't plan that one out too well, but what are you gonna do about it except run?

So, that's 8 virtual races between NOW and the end of September (not including the one I did yesterday). Hopefully they'll help get me ready for Dumbo over Labor Day Weekend, and Dopey in January!

Also, speaking of Dumbo! Since I'm raising money for the A-T Children's Project, one of the things we'll be doing is putting on a virtual run! It'll be the first one from the A-T Children's Project. Stay tuned for more info! It sounds like it's going to be super fun, I'm just hoping we'll get people to sign up for it. We're having a number of options available for registration, anywhere from just wanting to donate up to anyone wanting to run more that 26.2 miles! Still working out the kinks to the price points and all. And to make sure all of the money goes to the ATCP, there will be virtual medals instead of the traditional running medals.
Hopefully we'll have the page up and ready to go soon! I'm really looking forward to it.

On that note, I think I'm going to try talking my husband into a run! Wish me luck ☺

The joys of adulthood

I've been MIA in blogging, I know. I mean, HARDCORE MIA in blogging. As in, I don't remember the last time I made a post.

There have been plenty of things that have come up that I could have posted on... But haven't. It seems I'm to that lovely point of adulthood where I work 40-50+ hours a week... And then I sleep.
DH even jokes about my routine. I get up, have a bowl of cereal, go to work, come home, sometimes take a nap, sometimes read... Go to sleep. Add a shower in there somewhere, maybe add in a run - which is lovely for someone who has a number of long-distance runs coming up in the next 7 months, I know.

Nobody tells you that growing up means working a lot and sleeping instead of having a life, do they? (yes, I just rolled my eyes)

Let's see... I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but I'm kind of lacking pictures at the moment.

• Just over a month ago (on May 4th) I graduated with my M.S. in Community Counseling :D
• On May... 12th I completed the Runway Run. I was either 5th or 6th from the end, but I did it! Other than the Princess Half Marathon, THAT was the event that got me interested in running :D 7 miles in 1:29:06... I admit to being a little miffed that it was 3 second slower than I thought, but I beat my goal of 1:30:00! :D
• On May 29th, the hubs and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
• Two days later my hubs celebrated his birthday. No clue why I married him so close to his birthday. Shopping for gifts was a pain! :P
• Two days later was our 6-year dating anniversary. See above, but this time no gifts.
• Aaaaaaaand, good ol' June! On the 6th I apparently was issued my PLMHP (Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner). Got it in the mail on the 7th, started supervision this week to work toward a license that DOESN'T say "provisional"!
• Lacking running motivation. I think part of it is related to the heat.
• What I lack in running motivation, I make up for doing three walks a week with my clients at work to improve physical (and hopefully mental!) health. Nothing like getting out and getting moving!
• Speaking of which (see also: reminder to self) I've got clients who often pace due to not being able to sit in a group/class for 45 minutes... I need to invite them on the walks
• Today... I realized that I have walked and run at least 280 miles this year. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I'd hoped to have achieved at this point, but let's face it... I'm doing better at this than I ever have. I may not reach my Moon Jogger goal of 2,013 miles this year (and I still have 6.5 months to go!!!), but I'm doing so much better than I EVER thought I would have done as far as running, walking, and overall exercise.
• Speaking of which, my ILs and DH got me registered for the Dopey Challenge as a graduation present!! SO excited. NEVER would I have thought I'd be doing a marathon. But in 7 months time, I will be sticking it out there and trying my best - and doing it. I won't be the first to finish, but it'll be a first for me. And I'm excited.

Random blurb, that I may have mentioned before: After the Boston Marathon events, I had a friend text me to make sure I wasn't there.

Let's face it, there's no way I'm getting a BQ - at least, not any time soon, not without a whole lot more effort and all.

But, HELLO, love and support. I know she doesn't know a person has to qualify, but the feeling was "She thinks I can BQ!" Add that to the other supportive people in my life, and it's all golden.

So, being an adult is busier than I thought, considering I have pretty similar hours the ones I kept in high school - only difference is I'm in bed by 11 usually. Or at 9:30 I'm asleep on the bed until DH pokes me and tells me to get ready for bed. LOL.

Oh, the joys of being an adult.

And yes, I am surprised that it's just barely 9. I thought I was 22, not 222! haha

Women's Running Series Bloomington, MN Half

I can't remember if I posted on this before (what kind of blogger am I?! haha, kidding), but I talked it through with DH and I signed up for the Women's Running Series Half Marathon in Bloomington, MN in June!
It'll be my second half marathon, my first one by myself. That latter part is  intimidating  terrifying, but I have to remind myself that not only am I doing the Dumbo Double Dare by myself over Labor Day Weekend, I'll be doing the Dopey Challenge by myself in January. And maybe a couple other runs in between.

I always  expected  knew that I would be doing many of my runs and races by myself, but when it's only happened once then it's something you forget about.
I also can't help but remember the Princess Half back in February. I was in such a nasty mood, and my legs just hurt so badly that, of all things... I contemplated giving up.

Now, obviously I didn't, and I have the medal to prove it. And now that I have the experience under my belt, I know what I should and shouldn't be doing (for the most part) pre-race. And that includes not burning myself out (physically, mentally, and emotionally) in addition to putting more effort into my training.

Unfortunately, as much as I can remind myself of what I have "learned" (kinda already knew, but had verified), it's easy to get caught up in the negativity of one event.

One of my goals after we move into our new apartment next month is to get a medal hanger.The search has been... Interesting... But I think I'll be going with one from Allied Medal Displays:

I think at the point I'm at in my running, this sums it all up for me. I started running because I knew I could. I always told myself I couldn't, I'm not fast enough, I'll look stupid, etc... But one day I realized the only thing holding me back is me.
That goes for running longer distances. Running races by myself. Heck, just getting the guts to sign up for one!
Because I know my husband is behind me. My family is behind me (that includes his folks, too, even though dear FIL thinks I'm nuts - then again, the magnet on my car says "13.1 - cuz I'm only HALF crazy!" haha). My friends are behind me.

Speaking of support systems... One of my friends actually texted me to make sure I wasn't in Boston. I told her no (obviously), and then on Friday I realized... She thinks I could run Boston. Nevermind getting into a discussion with her on the details of BQing and such, because I don't think we discussed it. And I'm pretty sure a BQ isn't in my future.

But the fact remains:

It's great to have people who have your back and have confidence in you,

but you have to have your back and have confidence in yourself.

Even so, I wouldn't trade my support system for the world ♥
And before I forget, other medal hangers I'm contemplating:

(both from Heavy Medalz)

Feeling a Little... Dopey :D (Also, questions for runners!)

Those of you who follow runDisney probably have an idea of what I'm going to say next...

In January 2014, I'll be running the (first!!) Dopey Challenge at Disney World.

I couldn't tell you if I'm more nervous or excited about this whole thing.
DH took a quick break after his meeting at work on Tuesday in order to get to get to a computer that wouldn't block the runDisney site (see also: he went to his folks' house) to register me for the race.

Happy impending-graduation present from the in-laws.

There's a small part of me going "WTF was I THINKING???" because this will be my first marathon, but the bigger part of me is going "Man, this is cool... I have 9 months to train for it, so I should probably get on it." And with the Dumbo Double Dare (and any other races I register for before Goofy), it's not like I'm not getting out there.

On that note, any runners reading this: How did you select a training plan to use - and did you actually use it? Also, how did you find it? (Internet, books, personal trainer, etc.)

I've been looking at the runDisney training plans, and they haven't updated the ones for the WDW Marathon Weekend for the 2014 races. Which makes sense, because race registration opened up less than a week ago!
All the same, the Goofy's Challenge training plan is 28 weeks long. So about 7 months long. That time out from Dopey is coming up pretty quickly. I wonder if that's a training plan I should use - I mean, even though the dates are wrong, it's still pretty relevant.
But I've also been thinking about whether or not to use a training plan for an ultra. Because Dopey is a 5K + 10K + half marathon (21K) + marathon (42K), we're looking at 48.6 miles run in 4 days.

Now that seems a little overwhelming at a glance. I gotta stop to catch my breath.

Biiiiiig sigh.

Ok, I think I'm good. Although suddenly the treadmill is calling my name.

Speaking of treadmills, I was recently enlightened to the existence of "virtual runner" apps, that you can use on the treadmill to "run" a certain route.

Has anyone ever used a virtual running app/DVD/video/what-have-you??

It was either through Competitor, Runner's World, or Women's Running, but one of them talked about Outside Interactive's Virtual Runner app. It sounds really cool. Although, less-inspiring is that you would have to purchase each individual route, and the reviews have been either hit or miss.
I was noticing the same thing with the (free!!) Virtual Active app reviews. Obviously you can't please everybody,but even so.
Both apps appear to have wonderfully different things to offer. Heck, Outside Interactive's VR app has the Boston Marathon route! I know in order to run Boston, I'd have to run at just under 2/3 of my current pace! My (qualifying) miles would have to be 8 minutes/mile or less... You do the math.

In other, far more depressing words, my client had to take her dog back to the (no-kill) shelter a few days ago because, with her age and health concerns and all, she can't care for the dog as well as she could when she got her over a year ago. So I looked at the website for the shelter she (the dog) is at... And then I started looking at the puppies.
We're moving to a 2-bedroom apartment in a month and a half (which will clean things up around here dramatically, between school and work stuff and everything) but I'm pretty sure that even then they wouldn't let us adopt a dog. Besides, we both work full-time. It would take quite a bit of maneuvering to have a dog OR house-break a puppy.

Alright, I'm off to sulk. Call me the mood-killer.
Have a good one.

A-T Children's Project

Today is Rare Disease Day.

It has recently occurred to me, now that the Princess Half is over for this year, that I have been slacking SO badly on my fundraising efforts for the A-T Children's Project (Ataxia-telangiectasia... I spelled it right on the first try! Go me!!!) ☺

For those of you who didn't know, I will be doing the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland this Labor Day Weekend (August 31, 2013 - September 1, 2013). The Dumbo Double Dare means that I will be doing the Disneyland 10K (the first year for it!) on the 31st, and the Disneyland Half on the 1st.
Yes, back-to-back.

As part of my participation in such an exciting event (the first year of this event!!) I am working to raise money for the A-T Children's Project.
You can read more about it on My Fundraising Page.

My goal is to raise $600. Thanks to a old high school friend, I am already $10 of the way there (1.666667% of the way to my goal).
I understand $600 is a lot of money. I'm not asking anyone to donate an arm and a leg - at least, I hope I'm not! What I am asking is that you please take a short moment out of your day, and make even what you may see as being a "trivial" donation.

Every donation counts. You may not think that $5 is a big deal to donate, but it is. It means a lot - especially to the Olive family. I'm running with Team Randy and Alex for the ATCP. Randy unfortunately lost his battle with A-T and leukemia in 2004. Alex will be 3 years old in 8 days. He was diagnosed with A-T when he was just under 2 years old, and from what I can see from the update from his mother, Crystal, it has been a struggle.

Thanks ☺

Maybe... Marathon? Race Junkie

We're going to start off on a note unrelated to running.
Shocking, I know! But we'll get there, I promise.

I am officially done with my internship hours! I'm already 140+ hours over the minimum cumulative I needed, but I needed more hours with individuals... And I finished them up today! I am freaking psyched. I meet with my head supervisor and my instructor before class on Monday, and we'll talk about it then. I know when I met with my head supervisor on Tuesday, he told me that when people finish their hours he usually has them stop. But I'm pretty sure I have to continue all the way through to the end of the semester, so it may just result in me having my hours cut back.

Also, when I was making my outreach calls today (which helped me meet - and surpass!!! - the minimum individual hours needed), I sucked it up and called one particular client... Last time I talked to this person, s/he wasn't mad at me, but s/he was mad as can be. And I do mean MAD. And this person normally is a bit loud on the phone anyway, but that day s/he was taking loud to a whole new level. As in, I held the phone away from my hear and my team leader could hear the person. Maybe not understand him/her, but definitely hear him/her. And she (my fearless team leader) went and got me a soda to make up for the call ☺
Anyway, I called this person, and s/he was in a MUCH better mood. The concern that she/he'd had for over a month now? Taken care of.
And I was genuinely happy for him/her - AM genuinely happy. It really is amazing to know that the pieces all fell into place. It took more time that s/he would've liked, but the fact of the matter is that the end result is wonderful news.

Now on the subject of running... Technically I'm registered for the Disneyland Half Marathon... Twice. Yes, TWICE.
I'm really contemplating deferring the non-charity-organization-registration to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend for the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge.

Yes, I just said what you think I said. I've conquered a half marathon (granted, I walked most of it, but I did it - AND a crap-ton of walking around the theme parks for all four days we were there!) and now I'm really getting psyched about the prospect of doing a marathon.
And also of somewhat warmer weather, so I can take my running from the treadmill to the trail by our apartment. Only a little bit of that is related to safety concerns. From what I can tell, they plow the trails around here pretty quickly. Frankly, I think I'd be more likely to get frostbite and hypothermia than to slip, fall, and break my neck... Although I'd rather not chance THAT, either. It's so interesting: in the last year, I haven't been all that concerned about breaking bones and running (or, breaking bones in relation to running). But in the last week I was just so concerned that I would break something. My feet and legs hurt so badly that I went from overpronating to possibly underpronating (I couldn't tell, all I knew was it was out of the norm). You hear horror stories (I think one of them was in a recent issue of RW) of people running in the winter, falling, and breaking something.

Just because I'm slow doesn't mean I can't do it.

A marathon, I mean. Not falling and breaking something, although I suppose I could do that, too. But I mean just because I'm slow doesn't mean I can't do a marathon. Or a marathon AND a half (at separate times, I mean. At least right now).

And now I'm seeing all of these really cool races. I mean, they're ones that I'd noticed before, but they'd always seemed out of reach to me. A wonderful former best friend suggested the Diva Dash 5K. I'd eyeballed the Leprechaun Chase 10K, but that sold out ridiculously quickly (something tells me it's related to it showing up in the February or March issue of RW??). And oh my god, if I had my way I would sign up for the Runner's World Half & Festival. And do the entire. Freaking. Thing.

...
Is that a belated runner's high talking? I can't tell.

A half marathon seemed like a dream - a dream fit for a princess. I don't even know how I got up the guts to sign up for the Princess Half, but I don't regret it for a second!
I used to think a marathon was crazy and WAY out of reach, and I couldn't imagine spending 5-7 hours of my life (all at once!) doing such a thing...
I used to think a half marathon... Well, I didn't really even think about half marathons, to be completely honest.

Four years ago I was a freshman in college. At this time of year I'd been engaged for just over two months, I was actually liking college (the first semester was a doozy), and I was trying to envision where life would take me, but I was still somewhat unsure.

I never ever ever saw my life taking this (literal) path.
But I'm along for the ride (or run, walk, and plane ride, as the case may be), and I'm loving it.

Bring it.

(Now to wait for the hubs to get home from class so we can go run together!) ☺

Running to live

I'm kind of ashamed to admit this but... I haven't been running in two weeks. Two weeks today, actually.

Yes, you read that right: I have a half marathon in 28 days (well, about 27.25 days, give or days), and I haven't been running in two days.
Thanks to the Liebster Award nomination, I've been checking out the blogs of other people and, because I follow a couple running blogs, I've found some more running blogs to follow. The word I saw used on one of them (if only I could remember which blog!) was... "Lethargic".
Maybe it's just this time of the year, and the fact that the Midwest doesn't have the greatest weather this time of year, but I certainly feel no motivation to get on my running shorts and freeze my butt off outside to trudge through the cold to a treadmill.

Heck, I'm having a hard enough time writing this blog, but I think that's because Sex and the City 2 is on right now, and I haven't seen it in well over a year.

Anyway, back to the running bit... It's funny saying that basically I've been having one heck of a time running lately, because I've been thinking more seriously about deferring my Disneyland Half registration (see also: not the Dumbo registration) to part of the Goofy's Race and a Half. I would absolutely love it, too.

It's amazing to think of how much I have gotten from running. Greater confidence, on top of everything else. Excitement, opportunities - hello, I am doing FOUR Disney races this year (5K and Princess Half at Disney World, and the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland)... Even though I don't do it near as often as I'd like.

What can I say? Life gets in the way.
I know, I know, I'm over here typing a blog post, so I've got time to run, right? I just haven't felt the... Inspiration. And to make it even more... Ironic... Yes, ironic is the word I'm looking for! Diabetes runs in my family. So does obesity, apparently. A bit of high blood pressure (although mine is really good), probably some high cholesterol (again, mine is quite good).
But one of the things I've been discussing with DH is that even though we have no intention of having kids any time soon - and unless my IUD magically fails, there's no way I'm going through the hell to get it taken out any time soon! But I have no intention of raising my kid(s) in an unhealthy environment. That's not to say that they won't be allowed to have sweets or watch TV/movies or anything like that. But I want my kid(s) to grow up knowing physical activity and the importance of taking care of one's self. And I think that running, or at least modeling the physical activity I plan to encourage, will help to encourage that. Maybe break down some barriers, some of the limitations we impose on ourselves - like I mentioned in my Liebster Award post, and probably a different one, I never thought that I would ever be a runner. Or even vaguely close to it. Walking, I can do. Shopping til I drop, I can handle - in heels, strangely enough. But running? I never saw that happen, and I guess I never thought I would get support for it, although in retrospect I guess I should've known better. When I mentioned it to my dad a year ago, he was all for it, encouraging me and telling me training was important if I planned to run the Runway Run, and that since I wasn't trained for it last year, it's definitely something I can work toward this year.

(if only I could find a link to the race... I hope they have it again this year)

I'm not saying I felt like I wasn't living before. But I was living under the limitations I imposed on myself. Full-time graduate student. No running outside of running laps in marching band. Don't like sweating. Can't do it. Afraid of looking silly. Don't want to do it alone - granted I think that last one was more along the lines of wanting support.

But still, you get where I'm coming from. Now I'm just afraid of freezing ;)

The Liebster Award

I was going through my emails last night, and it appears that the lovely Liz over at 2 Love Birds Building Their Nest nominated me for the Liebster award.

Now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What on Earth is this Liebster award thingy?" Well, I copied the answer for you, direct from Liz's page! (Hi, Liz!):

"So what is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award nomination goes to those bloggers who have a following of less than 200 to promote other bloggers to comment and share - even get to know each other!  I think this is great, because it gives you the potential to gather a larger following!  If you get nominated, you cannot nominate the person who nominated you (No tagbacks!).

The point of the Liebster Award is to answer questions, tell 11 secrets about yourself, and nominate 11 other bloggers who fit the criteria.  Here it goes!"

It's very flattering to be nominated. Really, it is. Sometimes I wonder how many blogs just... Don't get noticed. Not like "I'm seeking attention" getting noticed, but just how many times they get passed up in favor of one that's obviously more popular. You've gotta wonder, because there are so many blogs out there. It's like Aladdin:

He had to become a prince just to be noticed for more than being a, uh, nuisance. And then they thought he was amazing. Hello, he had a song about him!.
When I think about that, I remember reading something on Pinterest (probably their FAQ page, for all I know) that says that if you want to attract more followers, the best thing you can do? Is be yourself ☺

Now on with the questions!

11 Questions (posted by Liz for those she nominated)

1. What is your favorite color and why?
   I don't really have a favorite color. I used to say it was pink. Before that it was probably red and black. I'm rather partial to royal blue and bright orange, because those are the colors the hubs and I used in our wedding. I like a lot of colors, especially bright, fun ones!
2. So, you have a blog.  Why?
   I believe I started it as one of those "fitting in" type deals. I was part of a forum with a crowd of women that I grew to become very fond of, despite being from all over the US and various other countries. I kept it because it was fun to have something that I'd worked hard to personalize, and that I put some thought into.
3. What is your goal for this year?
   I have a few different goals.
   1) get all of the stuff with my mother's estate settled
   2) finish my first half marathon
   3) hopefully get accepted into a PhD program
   4) ... Buy a house. We'll see how that one goes.
   5) graduate with my M.S.
   6) get a "big girl" job. depends on how #3 goes
4. What is the best song to describe your mood today?
   That's a really good question. Sometimes I have songs stuck in my head that really have nothing to do with how I feel - and I don't really even like them! If you'd asked me on Tuesday it would've been "Stay Home" by Self, from the movie Shrek.
   Maybe "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, although I own it on the Rock of Ages soundtrack. Or maybe "Titanium" by David Guetta and Sia. I'm sure if I think long enough, something will stand out. I'm just not feeling it just yet, that's all.
5. Who are the 3 most important people in your life and why?
   Three most important people in my life? Let's see...
   There's my husband. Does that really need explanation?
   There's my dad. I've always been a daddy's girl. If I'm not feeling well, I call my dad. I love my husband, but sometimes I just need to talk to my dad. Our phone calls average about 1:30 long (and by that I mean about a minute and a half), but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
   Third person? Um... Maybe my sister. I'm sure she thinks I'm quirky as can be (that's what big sisters do, right?), but sometimes she just gets me.
6. How did you meet your significant other? (if single, what do you look for in a significant other?)
   My husband and I started dating right after junior year of high school. He actually looked me up on Facebook (mutual friends, all that fun stuff), and I avoided him as much as possible for MONTHS. I mean, seriously, here's this 16-year-old guy talking to me on Facebook. We had art together in 8th grade, but I didn't know him. I didn't talk to him. And we ended up going to rival high schools, although he came to my school for one class a day because his school didn't offer it. But he was persistent about talking to a girl he'd only had one class with nearly 4 years before...
7. If there was a $100 bill laying on the ground, would you take it?  If so, what would you buy with it?  If not, why?
   ... I honestly don't know... I know I'd be likely to pick it up, stare at it for a bit, and look around to see if anyone was looking worried about having lost something. If I was in a store I'd turn it in. I don't know what the person planned to do with that money, or whether or not $100 is something they'd even miss!
   If I were to spend it... I'd probably buy books. Or stuff for my internship... Valentine's Day is coming up, maybe I'd get something for my husband.
8. Compare yourself to your 15 year old self.  What would you tell him/her?
   Oh, good grief. Probably something along these lines:
   "You're in marching band. Enjoy it, and make sure you do it again next year - that's your wonderful director's last year.
   You're going to get braces... As fun as the glow-in-the-dark colors on the retainers are, the plastic Invisalign-style is better suited to your life at this time - band, French class, choir, lunch... And for the love of Pete, WEAR YOUR RETAINER! You don't want to get your retainers back on when you're 21 - right before your first Valentine's Day as a married person, but you do...
   Right now you're in the best physical shape you're ever going to be in. Take care of your body.
   In nearly 8 years you'll be running a half marathon - actually, TWO! Don't let anybody tell you that you can't.
   Your lovely first boyfriend? Yes, the suspenders are hot. When you find the urge to dump him, do it. Listen to your gut - on more than just that boyfriend. He's not right for you. It's not a big deal. The time after the break-up with really suck, but remember it's not a big deal.
   This (sophomore) year you and your best friend will get the chance to attend something that freshmen and sophomores at your school don't usually get to do. When you attend the little conference, SPEAK UP!
   Speaking of friends... That friend you've been wanting to dump? Do it. You fall out of touch anyway, and she's no good for you. She's never going to pay you back, and she's kind of a leech. Can you say toxic? She's known for being a negative, well... you know what the word is. And your best friend? You're going to fall out of touch... Don't let her get away, because she's amazing and you know it. Tell her you appreciate her, and that she's wonderful.
   Also, make sure you say those things to yourself. You're wonderful, but you don't say it enough. You're self-conscious, and you've been dealing with your skin for the last five years (and will be in the future), but that doesn't make you any less of a person. A lot of your papers, and your passion in college, has to do with people, specifically females, and body image.
   Continue sticking up for people, especially those who can't stick up for themselves, because sometimes nobody else will.
   Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Your dad was right when he said that the most you can give someone is your word. Speaking of which, when he asks you what you think of his girlfriend, tell him you hate her. Don't lie to be nice. It'll save you years of grief.
   And tell your mother you love her every day, because you have less than five years left with her, and not telling her as often as you can, even when you're mad and yelling at each other, is the one regret you truly have - the day you fly out to go to that family reunion in 5 years, make sure you're on time to your internship! It's a lot of pressure, but it's important. It's been 2.5 years, you're almost a professional counselor, you've been to counseling yourself (we call it "avoiding countertransference"), but that's the thing that really gets you. P.S. You're going to hate your birthday after all of this, so enjoy it.
   Oh, and music education? You're more suited to psychology. Trust me on this.
   Take care of yourself. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Don't be afraid to take time to learn who you are, and don't hold on to the people who hold you back or use you without being willing to give."
9. What is your worst vice?
   I hate admitting this, but I've been battling with not-so-hot skin for the last 12 years... When I get upset/nervous/anxious... I scratch. I pick. It's horrible, and a lot of the time it's unconscious. And a huge (horrible) habit...
10. Take your age and double it.  Where do you see yourself at that age?
    Well, I'd be 45 (22.5 currently). I really don't know where I'll be. I have dreams of doing things, like being a counseling who (maybe) has her own (well, JOINT) counseling practice. And/or being a photographer. A really nice photographer ☺ And hopefully the hubs and I will have kids. But where I see myself? I don't really have that image just yet.
11. What is the best life advice you can give your followers?
    The thing I heard my dad tell my mom, the thing I've told my family, friends, classmates, clients, the consumers at my internship... Is that you can't take care of anybody else until you take care of yourself. That means physically, that means mentally, that means emotionally. If you're not taking care of yourself but you're taking care of someone else, you may resent it.
    The thing I often told a person who, unfortunately, just didn't seem to get it, is that you need to love yourself, have a good relationship with yourself, before you start looking for someone else to love you. I believe that a healthy relationship with yourself is important.
    
    Also, as I told my relatives at the family reunion because someone was worried about the already-cooked spiral-cut ham that got cooked (again - and therefore ruined. they tried to decorate it to make it cute - nobody ate it), and because they were stressed that nothing would be done in time: Not breathing is for dead people. 'Nuff said, right?

And before I forget, 11 fun facts about me!

1. I. Love. Disney movies.
2. I also love musicals. Rock of Ages is in my head more often than not. I love it!
3. The Nanny and Friends are my favorite TV shows. My husband watches them with me, and he enjoys them, but I just know that at times he thinks I'm completely off the wall.
4. I'm interning at a mental health agency. It was a shaky start for me, but I love it. I started off in the Homeless Services department but, due to a lack of hours, got moved over to the second facility in the Day Rehab Services program.
5. I despise doing the dishes. Seriously.
6. I'm super excited because I finally got a DSLR. DH gave the ok, and now those photography books I've been buying finally hold some more meaning to me because I can explore more with camera settings. My beautiful point-and-shoot left a bit to be desired due to the limited range of settings.
7. I'll be running a half marathon with one of my college roommates next month. And I'm making tutus for us! It'll be awesome, and you can bet I'll be taking TONS of pictures when we're at Disney World, and that I'll definitely be posting pictures.
8. I am a Moon Jogger. I am one of many many many MANY people signed up to run/walk/jog 1,000 miles this year... Although I'm doing the Ultimate Moon Jogger challenge and am working toward 2,013 miles.
9. I'd already paid for my race registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Since I decided to register to run for/with a charity, I now need to defer my race registration to another race... I'm trying to decide if I want to do the 2014 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at Walt Disney World and begin training for a full marathon, or if I want to do the 2014 Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland or the 2014 Princess Half Marathon at Disney World (the link takes you to the 2013 race, as that one hasn't happened yet). Or even the 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon, but that's cutting it pretty close to the Disneyland Half weekend...
10. If you couldn't tell, I'm really excited about running. I don't it near as often as I should for someone who is signed up for two half marathons and plans on signing up for more races, but I do it. It really makes me feel good because... Maybe it wasn't so much other people telling me I wouldn't be able to do things like that, as it is feeling that I don't want to hold myself back, that I can do more. That I can BE more.
11. I'm graduating with my M.S. in May (knock on wood that I pass both of my comprehensive exams needed to graduate!). Sometimes it makes me proud to say that I'm the youngest person who is about to graduate from the program at this point. When I started it was kinda scary, being barely-21 in the program. I had someone (who is now a friend) say "You're a baby!" (mind you, she's in her 50s, and I'm about the same age as one of her sons. Just a few weeks younger, I think. LOL).
    Even better, I have a husband who SUPPORTS me doing the best I can in school, supports me joining professional organizations and furthering my career, and hopes that I'll get accepted into a doctoral program. It makes him proud (I think he brags on me more than he lets on. haha), and he also knows just how much education means to me, to my family.

Now the 11 questions for those I've nominated:

1. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
2. What is it that you "get" out of blogging?
3. What is your favorite book? Why?
4. What made you decide to repost this and nominate others?
5. What is your favorite memory?
6. What do you do when nobody's watching?
7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money, and why?
8. If you could donate to any charity (any specific charity, or a general cause), what would it be?
9. If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
10. What do you love most about yourself? List five reasons why.
11. Chocolate or vanilla?

And then because I couldn't resist adding this particular question (and couldn't pick a question from above to NOT ask):

Let's see... My 11 nominees are (drum roll please!):

1. Amanda at A Whole Lotta Somethin'
2. Amy at EIGHT is GR8
3. Erin at For the love of Disney running...
4. FrozenOJ's Concentrated Life (no name given ☺)
5. Indeah and Ravi at Girls Rolling 20s
6. Amanda at Laughing in a Beautiful World
7. Maze at Learning by Burning
8. Sarah at Life isn't always a fairytale
9. Dee at My Paradise
10. Jaime at The Unlikely Competitor
11. And finally, Ashley at ....Every Little Beautiful Pieces (I can't see how many followers you have, Ashley, but in the event that it's under 200, I definitely didn't want to miss out on nominating you!)

Have at, everyone!

Disneyland, here we come! (fundraising tips welcome)

Race registration for the Dumbo Double Dare opened this morning. The DDD isn't anywhere near as long as the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (half marathon/13.1 miles one day, full marathon/26.2 miles the next, for a total of 39.3 miles.
But the DDD still looks pretty promising. It's doing a 10K (6.2 miles) one day, and then a half marathon the next day, for a total of 19.3 miles.

I was one of the many many many many MANY people upset with runDisney. I tried for over an hour to get into the race, but the site kept glitching because so many people were trying to register. And by the time I got to it, it was already sold out! The DDD filled up in about 30-45 minutes after it became available to the general public!
(The part that bugs me about that is they KNEW there would be a mad dash for it - it's the first year for the DDD and the 10K there, after all. And yet the website wasn't equipped to handle it. I even checked different events on the website to see if it was just trouble getting that race to load. Nope, the whole site)
It also turns out that there were only about 5,000 spots available... And plenty of people were able to pre-register at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, as well as at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend, if you were an Annual Pass holder, if you had a Disney Visa credit card (almost makes me wish I'd decided to get one but, uh, no thanks). The DDD was between 60-80% full by the time the general public got to it. Not only that, there were people (like myself) who signed up for an email alert about registration. By the time I finally got the email, registration was closed!

It's amazing how many people, like myself, were mad with the whole thing. I hadn't expected it to be so wide-spread. It was even more amazing how many people were saying something along the lines of "It's not runDisney's fault. You should've gone to a race!"
I'll be the first to tell you, me doing Disney World AND Disneyland in one year? That's a HUGE splurge for me. Call it a bucket list thing, if you will... Although I don't actually have a set "bucket list". If it had been as simple as "Oh, well, you just didn't get to it in time", that's one thing.

Anyway, let me quit my ranting and raving. It's really getting me nowhere.

So I went ahead and registered for the 10K. QUICKLY. At the time I registered, the 10K was about 90-92% full. Then I registered for the half which, at this time, is about 85% full. Unless the website has been updated some time in the last 5 minutes, but I think it's probably closer to 80-85% full by now, if not more. We shall see.
The hubs will be doing the 5K, and we can be each other's cheerleader. I'm looking forward to it, and maybe holding a sign for him, since this will be a 5K he's doing by himself - the 10K starts 45 minutes after the 5K, so unless he's doing an 8:00 mile or something, I don't think I'd have enough time to be able to see him before I take off for my race.

Onward with where I'm getting with this blog!
I kept seeing people saying "Hey, you know, you can register to run with a charity. They still have open spots for the DDD!" Eventually I decided to just check it out.
The A-T Children's Project had a spot where I could become a fundraiser, even though I'd already registered for the race. AND they still have DDD projects. So I figured I'd jump on the chance. And I took it - although I'm still trying to figure out how to get from "I already registered, but wasn't able to get into the DDD" to "I'm registered for the DDD".

It wasn't the easiest decision to make. I'll be the first to tell you that I can't pronounce all of ataxia-telangiectasia. I just can't. I'm getting closer, but I feel like I'm butchering it. So in addition to the weird feeling I had (coughHAVEcough) about "I'm going to raise funds for something, but I can't pronounce it", my main concern was "I've got about 6.5 months to raise $600. How am I going to do it?"

Ok, so that's an average of about $100 a month. No problem. Except... I'm no fundraising whiz. Never have been. But the hubs really settled it for me.
"We're going to be there, we might as well do some good and help others."
(paraphrasing, but you get the basic gist of it)
AND he said that if I wasn't able to raise the $600, he'd take care of it, and not to worry. And, well, 6.5 months.
Yes, my husband said that. Something tells me I should keep him ;)

Well, it's that time of the night. I'm gonna ski-daddle. Any tips/suggestions for fundraising are more than welcome!
Also, here's the link to My A-T Children's Project Page.

Goodnight!

The last first day of my program!

I'm gonna be completely honest, I hope wasn't my last first day of a semester in my education ever. I think I mentioned a while ago that I'm currently waiting on a decision from three doctoral programs... I'd forgotten what it was like to just... Wait. I've been checking on my applications for over a month now, and the status shown online still says the same thing:

Submitted.

It's a relief to see that word when you're concerned about whether or not a test or homework assignment got turned in, but not when you would like it to say "Under Review". I'm hoping to find out something (positive) soon.

Today (that is, Monday, not Tuesday, since it's after midnight) was my first day back at school this semester. And my last first day for my current school program!

The day as a whole started off pretty nicely. Got to my internship, did our morning meeting, ran my group... Then I started on paperwork and I thought I was going to die.

Ok, not that bad, but long story short? Cramps + IUD don't mix. I kinda felt like I was being crushed from the inside.

I should clarify, now that I have the IUD my menstrual cramps don't feel like the usual menstrual cramps. Hell, if I have them I don't notice them. All I notice is THE SQUEEZING FEELING. Yes, all bolded, larger font, and in caps is a start at being sufficient enough to describe it. Note that I said "a start".

I ended up heading home before lunch to hopefully find some food I could stomach so I could take 800 mg of ibuprofen (yes, you read that correctly: 800 mg), and get some sleep with the hope that I wouldn't oversleep my first class back. Or, you know, vomit.

I have to say, nothing makes me feel quite as... Pathetic. Yes, pathetic. Nothing makes me feel quite as pathetic as knowing that not only did I bail early because I had cramps, but that I had to take a doctor-approved dose of a pain reliever (a pain reliever that often isn't recommended for runners, unless I'm mistaken - I've heard both ways) so that I would quit feeling like my uterus was about to be sucked out of me. Which already sounds forceful and gross and agonizing and all that other (not-so-) fun crap.

On the plus side, I restarted a book I'd read (and loved) previously. Any romance novel fans, Jennifer Crusie fans, or... I don't know how to define what Bob Mayer writes, but Bob Mayer fans... If you haven't checked out Agnes and the Hitman, I HIGHLY recommend it. Especially if you've got a good sense of humor. Southern mob, a hot hitman, good food, a dog named Rhett (yes, Rhett, as in Gone With the Wind Rhett), and swingin' frying pans!

Then I got my nap, and all was well.

As far as classes go, I'm really looking forward to this semester. Not just because it's my last semester before I graduate with my M.S. (knock on wood! Comps are next month!), but because so far classes are looking good! Granted, I've only got two classes this semester, and I've only had one. But the benefit to being so far along in my program is that my internship class? There are only 8 of us, if you include our (pretty cool) instructor. My Human Growth class is on Tuesday evenings, so I have yet to experience it, but I hear it'll be pretty easy. Mostly writing. And I took a Human Growth course in undergrad, so here's hoping that helps.

It's interesting, though: There's no required book for this class. The Blackboard shell isn't even online, so I don't know who is in my class, although with some hunting I can figure out how large the class is... It looks like there are 24 people (including myself) in the class.

My internship may very well end up leading to a job. I'm unsure of how I feel about it. On the one hand, I spend 30+ hours a week there, and it would be lovely to be paid for it. On the other hand, I know good and well that not only am I waiting on doctoral decisions, but that if I get accepted I may not be able to work there. Or if I do, it will have to be part-time - which I suppose isn't horrible. Let's be honest, that's not bad at all.

Now on to running!

What, you didn't think I could make it a whole post without talking about this journey, did you? ;)

Ok, ok, I thought I could, but we're getting down to crunch time with the countdown, and I'm just excited to be going to Disney next month! Everything is just under 45 days away. About 44 days and 23.25 hours, actually - according to the runDisney website, of course!

I didn't get a run in tonight like I'd planned. Too easily distracted by the fact that I'm making our running tutus. And they. Will. Be. AMAZING! I'm going to post pictures and everything when I finish them, because the ideas I've got are so exciting!

Another reason I *may* have put off running, in addition to a lack of time and all that fun jazz when compared to everything else going on right now, is probably nerves surrounding my lovely running fuel. Since Friday's awful post-run episode of GI distress, I've gotten a couple other types of running fuel to try. I've long since established that Gatorade is not my friend. I'm adding GU to that list, although I don't know if that includes the GU Chomps, which I'd already purchased. I've bought Hammer Nutrition gels (one in Apple-Cinnamon flavor, one in Tropical), and some Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem Solids in Strawberry-Vanilla, which I don't have to worry about mixing into a drink.

And excitement of excitement, Jelly Belly makes sport jelly beans! Now THOSE I'm excited to try!

There are some other brands of fuel I was looking to try. I've heard from lots of people that Honey Stingers is good, and that Nuun has really been nice for people with sensitive stomachs.

Speaking of supplements, I picked up some Calcium Magnesium Zinc, which my dermatologist suggested when I talked with him about the half a few months ago. He didn't tell me that they'd be so large!

(That's what she said)

Although I don't know what I was expecting. But it certainly wasn't to take 3 a day.

Before I go, I think I've decided on a new name for this blog. I'm thinking it's going to go from "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" to "A Runner in the Making". But it's been over a year so naturally I've grown attached to the current title of this blog, even though I don't dance even half as much as I used to. Not even close. I'm lucky if I'm gettin' down in front of the bathroom mirror nowadays.

Well, I've rambled on quite enough for the night. It's bedtime. Toodles!

An experience I'd not care to repeat

I know a couple months ago I posted about fueling for runs - before, during, and after - and that Gatorade was a nightmare on my stomach.
Well, with the half next month, I figured that now's as good a time as any to get back into checking out fuels. I believe Disney gives out GU brand energy gels and such, so I decided to look it up. I saw some good things, mostly. Some bad from some people, but nowhere near as many as had trouble with Gatorade. So I picked up three flavors of the gel to try, and one back of the Chomps chews. I decided to have one (lemon sublime) pre-run, and one (strawberry banana) mid-run.

I got to the apartment's workout room around 11 last night and - this, btw, is super creepy - I flip on the light and there's just someone in there on the elliptical! I about had a heart attack!
...
And pretty sure it's not safe to work out in the dark. Especially when using and surrounded by equipment.

Older BIL suggested that if the TV was on then maybe that was enough light.

No. It was straight up DARK. Talk about scary as hell.
A couple came in not long after I got started, so I didn't felt as, um... Weirded out. Considering the time and all.

Eventually the couple left, and I pulled out the iPad and started to watch Mulan. About an hour into the workout (so maybe 25 minutes into the movie?) I have the second energy gel.

BTW, the scene in Mulan where she chops off her hair and steals her father's armor? I watched that 3-4 times. It was wonderfully motivating. I ended up going 5.7-6.0 MPH (10:00-10:30/mile, my usual is 12:30-13:30, if that tells you anything).

I decided to keep going until the end of the movie. I made sure to take a picture of the treadmill when I hit 9.11 miles (because seriously, that's funny), but I did hit "stop" at the end of the workout instead of "pause", so no pictures of the 9.55 or 9.56 I ended with.

That's right. Yours truly finished out at 9.55-9.56 miles! In about 2 hours and 11-12 minutes, keeping in mind I used the first mile as a 20- to 21-minute warm-up. That is 2.5 miles farther than my previous longest distance. And even with walking I'm still faster than the required pace :)

I got back, uploaded my run (my first failed NikeFuel mission - short by 300-ish points, but my best yet, so I can't wait to try it again! Another shot for the "hard" difficulty. I WILL get it), and then when I got ready to shower... It hit me.

I'm sure you can see where this is going.

I spent about 2.5 hours between the bathroom floor and trying to snuggle my sleeping-like-a-rock husband, all while feeling nauseous and having a case of the shakes. It was horrible! Even the stomach cramps I had from Gatorade didn't have that impact! I finally got a shower and got o bed at about 4:15 this morning.

Let's put it this way: between my post-shower weighing and my waking-up weighing (not even 6 hours apart) I lost 8 pounds. Which doesn't put me underweight or anything, it puts me at a weight I was more accustomed to a few years ago, but it still isn't good.
TMI, but I'm not sure how much of the loss was water because I made sure to drink water pre-, during, and post-run, and especially when I thought of the risk of dehydration with the post-run symptoms, and the gels/symptoms really cleaned me out...

Part of me is going "Hey, maybe you should just try the same brand but do it differently, even more water or something! Or maybe try a different brand! You may just have to condition yourself for it."
The other part of me is going "Hell. No. Do you really want to sit through another night of 2+ hours of shakes and nausea?"

I'm quite jealous of those runners who don't experience GI problems with running. Apparent,y they do exist.

On that note, 47.5 days to the Princess Half! I'm really feeling that I can do this. I got to 7.05 miles without energy gels, 9.55-9.56 miles with. I just need to make sure I can get that last 3.5 miles in, and I'm all set!
Also, DH and I have discussed the Disneyland 10K (the first year for it!) and the Disneyland Half Marathon so I'd have a shot at the Dumbo Double Dare medal for doing the 10K and half, AND the Coast to Coast medal for doing at least two races of half marathon or greater distance, one at Disney World in Florida and one at Disneyland in California :)

Hey, Disney?
...
I'm coming for you.
I hope you're psyched, because I know I am.

(Now just some pictures to showcase some of the fun parts of last night's/this morning's run:
- 9.11 miles. Just for kicks.
- "Citizens, I need fire power!" "Who are you?!" "Your worst nightmare." (I think Eddie Murphy did the Batman voice better than Christian Bale! Haha)
- "Light me!"
- the fireworks :)
- "If you ask me, she should've brought home a man!" "Does Fa Mulan live here?" "Woo! Sign me up for the next war!"
It's the "small" things, right?)

It's the most wonderful time of the year

A belated Happy New Year to everyone :)
Not too much is going on here in my neck of the woods. Just the usual life of a Master's candidate hell-bent on being a successful runner. Who wants to go to Disney.

Speaking of school, typing that made me realize that I graduate this year! Four months from Friday, if I'm not mistaken. But at this point in time it really doesn't feel like it's all that close.
I'm halfway done with my second internship, and I basically have until the end of April to get it taken care of. With any luck it won't be particularly difficult, seeing as it seems that I practically live here.
School starts on Monday. It seems so weird to say that. With any luck this won't be my last semester in school. I'm still waiting on my doctoral applications to be reviewed. Hopefully I won't have to wait too much longer.

Regarding the running, DH and I officially kicked off our part of the Ultimate Moon Joggers challenge last night. We didn't get as much distance as we would've liked (he got 2 miles, I believe, and I got 3.33 - for the Ultimate we each need 5.5+ miles per day) but it was a start and we're going to work together to get in our miles. If we each only get 1000 miles this year instead of 2013 miles it won't be the end of the world, but we're gonna go hard because sometimes going home isn't the answer.

Last night I did my fastest 5K in 36-37 minutes. The exact time I couldn't say, since my shoe pod is a bit off, but I won't worry about specifics for now. The fact of the matter is that it's an improvement.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend is officially next month. Yes, you read that right. NEXT month. I'm... Unsure of how to feel about it.
On the one hand, I'm super excited. I know I can finish it, even if it ends up being a run-walk combination. I'm pretty psyched because I think I can get under the 3-hour mark if I keep this up. At least that's my hope. I've got 7.5 weeks to make it happen.
On the other hand, my brain is going "... You're kidding me, right? 13.1 miles? What the heck is wrong with you??????" And the nerves want to start.

Then I remind myself of the pin on Pinterest that says something to the effect of "That little voice that tells you you can't... Is a dirty lying whore." Or, you know, something to that effect ;)

On a more positive note, I booked all of our trip stuff with the exception of flights, which will be booked sometime within the next week - probably within the next few days, actually.
Disney level of readiness? Probably about 65%. Book flights, finish room and food reservation-type stuff, keep running, keep excitement up.
I'm running with a camera, if I can. And we're going to get so many pictures on and off the courses! And a few hours after the race were going to have lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table!

Not gonna lie, I think it's some funny mess. Cinderella is now a princess and she's going to be serving us our appetizer. Never mind that it's one that "she picked especially for us", the fact is she's going to be our server for a short time.

I hope I'll get that laugh out of my system before we get there.

Not much else is going on. Just running, school, and internship.
DH and I have been discussing the possibility of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. I would love to get the Coast to Coast medal for doing at least two halves in one year, one at each resort. We'll just have to wait and see, no?

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly

"I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky" - Kelly Clarkson, "Breakaway"

Last night's run was very reminiscent of that song. I'm pretty sure I've said before that I've really been struggling to get much higher than 4 miles. Some of that is related to speed, some of that is related to workout length... But last night my darling workout buddy and I got together for a run for the first time in a while. She got about 5.5 miles, which I think is a biggie for her, and I hit 7 miles. SEVEN!!! And I mean a legit 7, as in on the treadmill and not just my watch reading into how often my foot hits the ground along with... I think it measured my stride when I calibrated the shoe pod.
So on the treadmill I got 7.01 miles and on my watch I got 7.05 miles. It was grueling, and I walked at least a couple of those miles, but the fact of the matter is that not only have I done it but I can KEEP doing it! AND I can do it and keep faster than the max pace!
Disney had better watch out, because I really plan to take that Princess Half by storm! That doesn't mean I'll be the fastest or anything, not by a long shot, but will I finish? Yes!

Another fun bit on the running front: Nike+ now has Nikefuel Missions, where you're basically turning your workout into a video game and trying to get a certain number of Fuel Points in an hour.
(I told my running buddy about this and she got so excited because she thought the Fuel Points were like the fuel points we get from the grocery store that we can use to save money on gasoline. It was pretty funny, but also kind of sad. I can only imagine how many more people would be active if it could save them tons of money on gasoline!)
My first mission I decided to up it to the "hard" level and work toward 450 Fuel Points in 30 minutes. When I started my watch it recorded the 30 minutes that corresponded with the challenge, and according to the website, I "destroyed" the challenge and got 672 Fuel Points. The next challenge, if I go straight for the "hard" level, is 800 Fuel Points in half an hour. I think if I keep a pretty good running pace of at least 4.5MPH (I think that's a 13:20-ish mile??) then it should be pretty easy.

I admit that I have yet to figure out how Fuel Points are calculated. Obviously it's something to do with the level of energy that is used, but I also have to wonder how time, weight, distance, etc. factor into the equation.

I have yet to decide if I want to go for another run tonight or if I just want to wait until Friday. It could go either way, really. And if a lot of it ends up being walking, I won't be offended, as long as I keep at 4.0MPH or faster :)
And last night I was ridiculously thankful for my calf compression sleeves.
Oh, and I got a blender from older BIL for Christmas - the blender I've been eyeing with the dispenser on the side and everything. Methinks I there will be running smoothies made for this!

Bring it on.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

I'm currently chilling out with the in-laws right now. Literally, chilling. Yet another realization of just how much I differ from them for the most part. Or at least from my FIL. My MIL feels my pain of freezing one's butt off.

I'm going to go ahead and say that today was a pretty fabulous day. For starters, I'm typing this on the new iPad that my ILs gave my for Christmas. I'm loving the fact that I should also be able to use this for class instead of having to lug my computer around.

It's easy to forget just how much my ILs spoil their loved ones... Until you're in the lion's den!!! It was a little overwhelming to get seated in with everyone while working to open a mound of presents. The mound was terrifying last year, since it was my first year to experience it. I mean REALLY experience it... I have to wonder if anyone has ever been crushed under presents. But everyone was really amazing about giving gifts to each other. It's been an enjoyable day, playing UNO and dinner and FaceTime with my sister and just hanging out.

That conversation with my sister was interesting, to say the least. But in a fun way! She and her husband are visiting his folks, and he was playing a game that she got him, and she FaceTimed me on the iPad she got from her ILs (what is with ILs and iPads this season? Not that we're complaining!). I completely forgot that her ILs were also in the room with her and suddenly I went "Oh! I also got practical underwear!" ... And then I heard laughing in the background and it occurred to me that "... You're not alone, are you?" to which she replied "Practical underwear are good."

DH and I also went over to see my brother and his wife (my SIL) for dinner last night. His MIL (that is, her mom) was over there. We watched Speed, had dinner, and had a ridiculous number of jokes. My brother was playing with candle wax, so his wife jokingly tells him he's acting like a kid. Then DH talked about soy candles where the melted wax can be used as massage oil...
Then her mom takes that and starts talking about sex candles! It was somewhere between horrifying to be discussing sex in front of my big brother and hilarious. It's always nice to know for sure that the hubs really blends well with my folks.
Also, DH and my brother were making jokes about those Topsy Turvy planters and making money.

I love my family.

On that note, I'm gonna get back to bonding with the hubs.

Also, 58 days to Disney's Princess Half Marathon!

"If there's a prize for rotten judgment, I guess I've already won that"

Note to self: Blogging inspiration may strike, but doing it while tired probably isn't the greatest idea. Hence the title coming from a Disney song.
"I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" from Hercules, if you hadn't figured it out.

And yet I can guarantee it will happen again.
Nothing says dedication like writing a blog and then dozing off in the middle of a sentence, right?

DH and I got up today and, after seeing my dad for a little bit (me getting the usual Holiday Barbie of the year, DH getting a tie chain, my dad getting some landscaping gloves and heavy work gloves) before he and his go out of town, I felt it: the inspiration to run. The desire to run.

Granted, I felt it a little last night, but I've been so tired lately that it just wasn't gonna happen.

So I got up, got ready... Realized I hadn't eaten at ALL, despite having been up for a couple hours already (see: not good), had a bagel thin with peanut butter, digested for a little bit... And I ran :)

I don't know what it was today, but hitting that 4.01 miles on the treadmill (yes, that "dreaded" thing for some people - I rather like it)... It wasn't bad. Really. Considering my last run was 2 weeks ago and I don't think I even made it to 3 miles, and before that I think it had really been over a month... It was pretty dang good.

I keep telling myself to not be disappointed, that 13.1 will come sooner than I know it - and it will, as long as I keep working toward it.

It has come to my attention that, with the exception of a few months ago where I hit somewhere around... Honestly, I don't remember. According to my watch it was 6.79 miles, so in reality it was probably between 6.25-6.5 miles?? But basically I'm normally somewhere around 4-4.5 miles, on average.
I think maybe part of it is related to the training program I've been using, seeing as when I hit the 6+ miles I was also doing the longest run of the current program.

By the way, I don't regret these compression calf sleeves. Not for a minute. It's been a couple weeks, so I was expecting a little bit of the awful itchy leg... Nope. Not a bit. I am so psyched about these sleeves that I would love to go get another pair, but for now I'm going to see how these shape up.

Bonus for the day: The hubs will be running with me quite a bit more in the future, starting tonight :)

Cross your fingers I don't fall out in that run! (Kidding! Well, sort of)

Moon Joggers?

I just signed up to be a Moon Jogger! The whole concept is pretty awesome.
You commit to walking, running, or jogging at least 1,000 miles in 2013. Or if you're REALLY feeling badass, you commit to walking, running, or jogging 2,013+ miles in 2013.
*Note: You can count miles done on the elliptical, too, if that works better for you.
**It's free. You know, in case you were worried about there being a cost to sign up and log your miles yourself, that whole shebang.
***You can also sign up as a family or a team, so that each person's miles contribute to the total of 1,000 or 2,013 miles. Yay for team spirit? So if you're competitive with your friends/family/significant other, say hello to some bonding time and competition!

There's a video on the Moon Joggers blog that explains it a bit more. It's just under 239,000 miles to get to the moon, so their goal was to have at least 239 people sign up. Well, they've got at least 388 participants right now (including the sister-sister team that started it) and they need less than 100 more participants in order to get to 478 participants...
It'd be pretty cool to run to the moon, but I like the idea of being able to run to the moon and back. Nothing like being able to get home, huh? ;)

But the (hopefully obvious) catch is that it's not something you can do alone. It HAS to be done with others... I mean, unless you want to try running nearly 655 miles a day for a year, but that might be pushing it!

I admit it, I'm going for broke and trying the 2,013 Ultimate Moon Jogger challenge. I've done the math and it doesn't look bad. It definitely gives one the opportunity to step it up. It also gives me even more incentive to work toward Disney, and maybe see what else I can do. We are less than 10 weeks out from the Princess Half! I'm feeling pretty encouraged, both about the half and about the whole Moon Joggers thing.
I'll be doing the Moon Joggers thing with my lovely running buddy/one of my best friends, but we'll be doing it as individuals so we can both get to 1,000+ miles (or, her to 1,000+ and me to 2,013). I'm also trying to get the husband into it, but we'll have to see how that one goes! Haha

If you love to walk, jog, run, use the elliptical, what have you, definitely check it out :)
Aaaaand goodnight! :)