Fitness Friday - Dopey Challenge Style

We have returned from another fabulous runDisney event weekend and I know I say this all the time, but I cannot believe it's over already! On the morning of the 10K, I never thought the full marathon would get here and now that it's all said and done, I'm kind of sad.

Many MANY hours were spent walking and running throughout the parks over the past week, so I'm going to recap them here along with my step count.

As a disclaimer, I was not a good girl as far as the first time Dopey participant went. I actually didn't stay in bed or relax at the hotel every day. Instead, I spent time at the parks with my family and friends. Whoops. However, I did make sure I was in bed by at least 8 or 8:30 p.m. every night so I could have an adequate night's rest.

 
Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Dopey Challenge Week:
Thursday, January 4 - 5K (daily step total 29,600)
Friday, January 5 - 10K (daily step total 34,400)
Saturday, January 6 - Half Marathon (daily step total 45,700)
Sunday, January 7 - Full Marathon (daily step total 69,300)

Monday, January 8 - Animal Kingdom - 14,000 steps
Tuesday, January 9 - Magic Kingdom - 16,800 steps
Wednesday, January 10 - Travel Day - 6300 steps
Thursday, January 11 - REST DAY!
Friday, January 12 - Afternoon walk with Jason/Brayden

What a week! My fitbit hit its highest mileage ever on the day of the full marathon which was quite exciting! (And maybe cheating since I used it while I was running a race but oh well..steps are steps, right?)

Also, I want to put this out there - no, it's not a grand idea to venture all over the parks while doing a race of this magnitude. However, I do not live a sedentary lifestyle on a regular basis and I work at a job that has me on my feet all day (as a nurse), so I knew my body's limits and when it was time to return to the room to sleep or take a rest on a bench, I did just that.

Honestly, I felt that walking so much helped my body not become stiff or terribly sore. I did hobble around a little bit the evening after the full but by Monday morning, I felt great and was ready to go! I also wore a lot of compression (CW-X compression pants were worn nightly for sleep and Legend Compression socks or leg sleeves were worn daily for most of the races and around the parks) which helped TREMENDOUSLY!

Would I run Dopey all over again? Probably not.
Would I run another Full Marathon? Maybe...still on the fence about this one. (This full was my 6th so far.) 
Did I have an AMAZING time? YES!
Could I have used more sleep? YES.
Was the training hard? YES!
Was it worth each and every mile? DEFINITELY!!

I am so happy I had the opportunity to run this challenge and having my friend Melissa to run it with me made it that much more exciting! We had a BLAST stopping for character photos and I had the chance to do something I wish I'd done on the last Disney Marathon I ran - I had the chance to ride Expedition Everest around mile 14 in Animal Kingdom! I know it's crazy, but my main reason for wanting to re-run the full is because I didn't ride Everest the previous two times I ran this race - it  was totally my "cherry on top" for this race weekend!

Now for the opposite side of the coin (I'm not being negative, just giving my honest opinion)....

Traveling with my husband/son and friends was hard because I felt as if I was missing out on times with them while having to leave the parks at 7 to catch a bus and be in bed on time. During the morning of the full marathon and about half way through the full, I texted several people and said "I'm NEVER doing this again, EVER!" Am I still holding true to that? Yes, more than likely for Dopey at least (I'm still on the fence about running another full).

Here's the thing - it all depends on the mindset you go to Marathon weekend with. Is it to run a race and have a Disney vacation (our style - sun up to sun down) all at the same time? Or are you there strictly for runDisney? If you're just there for a fun running weekend and don't mind a ton of downtime at the resort, then Dopey is a great idea! My personal favorite are the shorter race weekends like Princess or Wine & Dine because I feel as if I can have that runDisney experience by participating in a challenge (10K and half) or a half alone and still have time to enjoy the parks with my family. Again, not being negative as I had an AMAZING time, I'm just sharing my thoughts! :)

There will be recaps to come as well as several vlogs for those of you who asked, so stay tuned! Again, this past weekend was an incredible one and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to run and complete my first Dopey Challenge!

Did you run any races over the past weekend? Have you ever run Dopey? If so, what are you thoughts and would you run it again?

Fitness Friday - 7/3

Happy 4th of July Weekend! Today, I'm enjoying a little time off of work followed by a weekend spent with family and friends! :)

Currently training for: 
Louisiana Half Marathon
Rock ‘n’ Roll NOLA Half Marathon
Glass Slipper Challenge
Castaway Challenge
Diva’s Half Marathon
Contraband Days 5 Miler
4 on the 4th

Saturday – T.G.I.F. GT5K
Sunday – Rest Day
Monday –  3 mile run/walk with Jason; PT exercises - lunges/squats with weights
Tuesday –  Tone It Up Kettle-bell Workout
 Wednesday – Rest Day
Thursday – Rest Day
Friday – All 4 Run - Gone For A Run's 4 Miler

This week, my goal was to run several days and keep up my leg/PT exercises...especially since I have a 4th of July 4 Mile race tomorrow! I'm definitely going to set several alarms so I don't have a repeat of last year! :)

 3 mile run/walk with Jason! 

 
Summertime means smoothies for breakfast! This one included:

• 1 cup of sliced strawberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 cup Silk almond milk

Blend, serve, and enjoy! :)

Summertime also means summer-berry salads....from McAlisters, of course!

Today, I'm going to complete Gone For a Run's All 4 Run 4 Mile Virtual Race. I'm looking forward to enjoying a run on my day off work! :)

This week was a bit of a hard week as well. Wednesday marked two years since my grandfather's passing and today is 2 years since his funeral - it's hard to believe how two years have gone by so quickly! Although I miss him terribly, time truly does heal all wounds (and I'm so grateful for that).

How was your week? Any fun 4th of July plans? Running a 4th of July race?

Whatever you choose to do, have fun and be safe!!

(run)Disney Side

We are halfway through another week and it’s time for another Wordless Wednesday, Disney Style!

Today’s Theme: Disney Side
Host: Deb at Focused on the Magic

Per my usual, I had to throw a little rD spin on it, so here’s my (run)Disney Side!

I’m all about running fun filled races at the happiest place on earth where each mile is filled with magic!

Want to participate in an upcoming Wordless Wednesday? Click on the button below for more details!

--------------------------------------------------------

Now you tell me, what is your Disney Side?

Thursday Ramblings

#1: Castaway Cay Challenge Medal

Source

It’s been released for a few days and I can’t stop drooling! Isn’t this medal beautiful? This year, I ran an “unofficial Castaway Cay Challenge” when I ran the Glass Slipper Challenge in WDW followed by a Disney Cruise and the Castaway Cay 5K. In 2015, I’ll run the same races again - but this time I’ll receive this extra gorgeous medal! Can’t wait!! Anyone else running this race? Registration is still available for the cruise following Princess Weekend!

#2 MyFitnessPal

Source

Is anyone else on My Fitness Pal? I’m looking for more friends to follow. I would love to encourage each other – find me here!

#3
Lots of exciting things are coming up for us -  including a family wedding at a plantation home this weekend (so excited!), a Disney World trip (for Wine & Dine Half), and several fun races! Perhaps one of my favorites (apart from Wine & Dine of course) is a 5K that takes place through one of the largest Christmas lights displays in the state of Texas! Woohoo! Did someone say Christmas?!  I. Can’t. Wait. :D

Have a fabulous Thursday! It’s almost the weekend! Yay!

Upcoming Races, More Bling!

Yesterday, I registered for two upcoming races – a local 10K and a Half Marathon.

I’m really excited about the Cowboy Gallop 10K because our area hasn’t held a 10K in several years (2009 to be exact). 



Registered runners for this 10K will receive long sleeved shirts…what! Love it! Also, this 10K finishes at the 50 yard line of our local college’s football stadium. My entire family and I (including my husband) received our degrees at this college, so this race holds a special place in my heart. :)
My running buddy Heather and I are both registered and excited to run! Can’t wait!

The Half Marathon that I registered for is the Louisiana Half Marathon in Baton Rouge, LA.



I ran this race in 2013 with my friend Kelli (and it was the weekend after Goofy at that)!



I absolutely loved everything about this race – the Expo was super cute and we were pleasantly surprised, the course was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and my knee never bothered me at all (I was dealing with IT Band stuff at the time).



My sister-in-law (Kayla) and I will be running this race in 2015!

An added perk for 2015 is a partnership between the Louisiana Marathon and Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans. For running both races (two weekends in a row) and in addition to each races respective medals, runners will receive the Louisiana Double Down Medal! That’s two races, three medals!




Aren’t they beautiful? I love the Fleur de Lis!


Source

Registration is available for both races, so you still have a shot at earning this beautiful additional medal. Don’t hesitate, sign up today – prices for the Louisiana Marathon/Half will increase in October!

• Louisiana Marathon/The Half – January 18, 2015
• Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon/Half – January 25, 2015

Have you/are you planning on running any special Rock ‘n’ Roll partnership races for an extra medal? I want to hear about your experience!