I have decided to join a new linkup: Triumph Thursdays hosted by Smitha from Running With SD Mom, Linzie from Sharp Endurance & Carlee from Carlee McDot. This week I will talk about HOW THE TINKERBELL HALF MARATHON IS THIS WEEKEND AND I AM SO EXCITED!  Tomorrow I will be heading off to Anaheim for the Tinkerbell weekend and I couldn't be more excited! I am pumped to run a new rundisney challenge and my 4th rundisney challenge of the year (Goofy, Dopey, Rebel, Glass Slipper), 15th and 16th race overall and my 10th and 11th rundisney race of the year! 

Here are my plans for this weekend: 

PACKING
I am all packed. As soon as I turned in my final paper on Monday, I got right to packing so I wouldn't forget anything. 

• Costumes and race outfits
  
• Rain gear (it may rain on Friday!)
  
• Race food-hot cereal, peanut butter, bananas, vega one fuel products, etc x2
  
• Princess medals
  
• All my rollers
  
• electronics and all chargers
  

Expo Plan
I have to get up at 4am to do dining reservations for wine and dine (oh when Disney trips collide!) and may need to be up at 6am to get in the NB shoe queue so depending on how I feel, I may head down super early to Anaheim and just grab some breakfast and coffee in DTD and get a bit of reading done. If I leave before 7, traffic shouldn't be too bad.
The expo opens at 10 but I think I will go get in line at 9 just incase it opens early. I need to get merchandise, my bib, hopefully my shoes and get KT taped and buy new tape (I want the sparkly green tape!)
I also want to stop by the ProCompression booth, the Fit2Run booth for some extra fuel, and Sparkle Athletic to get my shoe poms I bought! 

Park Plan

• The rain on Friday leaves a lot up in the air but I plan on at least trying to go see the Tomorrowland preview on Friday and maybe a few other rides. I am not too concerned about getting on rides as I will be back for the 24 hour party and will get to ride all of the new stuff on the 22nd. 
  
• I will most likely eat lunch at Tangeroa Terrace at the DL hotel (depends on what time I am done with the Expo) or Rancho del Zocalo at DL. Dinner will most likely be stir fry from Lucky Fortune Cookery in DCA before an early bedtime for me. My goal is to be in the hotel by 7 and in bed by 8 for my 4am wake up call.
  

10k Plan

• Up at 4, out of the hotel by 445 and at the start line by 5! My costume is Iridessa so expect a post soon about how I got my costume together. 
  
• Afterwards, I plan on heading straight to the hotel to shower and get ready then grab a quick breakfast before going to Disneyland at 9am. Why you may ask? THE HATBOX GHOST IS MAKING HIS DEBUT! I
•  will most likely stay at the parks until noon or so (after grabbing lunch at the Smokejumpers which I have been wanting to go in and see) then head back to the hotel for a nap/relaxing time before my Facebook meetup at 330 and dinner at Carthay Circle at 5.
  
• Hotel by 7, bed by 8 for a 3:45 am wake up.
  

Half Plan

• Up by 345 and out of the hotel by 430.
  
• After the race, I plan on grabbing breakfast at the DL hotel before heading back to my hotel to shower and check out. I then plan on going to the park for a bit so I take pics with all my medals! After that, I will probably grab lunch (haven't decided where yet!) and then head back home.
  

Goals
Overall, I want to have a lot of fun and meet a lot of people! This is the first race I am doing by myself and also don't have any concrete plans. So if you see me around, say hi!

For the races, my goal is to just have fun. My Disney PRs are always in my mind but I'm not going to sacrifice great fun and pics for a time. I am hoping starting in Corral A will be worth it for the pics!
I'm excited for the new 10k course and have been reviewing it every day. During the out of the park time, my goal is to average 10:30-11:00 min mile pace for the 10k to save energy for the half the next day. During the half, after we leave property, my goal is to average 10:00-10:30 pace which definitely seems doable.

Want to follow me along in the fun? I will be on Social Media all weekend :)
Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest 

How about for you? Anyone else running this weekend? Any fun Mother's Day plans?

Another Tuesday on the Run hosted by: April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Erika from MCM Mama Runs, and Patty from No-Guilt Life. This week's topic is Reviewing the Year in Pictures. 

It's that time of year again, to review the greatness of the year! Instead of having a very long post like last year, I will put the slideshows on the bottom of here and divide them into 4 slideshows-2-3 months long each so one will not be too long. 

Top things:

• Traveled to WDW 3 times
  
• ran my first full marathon!
  
• ran 7 rundisney races for 11 medals
  
• got a sub-3 5k, sub 1:00 10k and sub 2:15 half marathon
  
• traveled twice for work (Fort Worth and Denver)
  
• got my appendix out
  
• started a new job
• started a doctoral program 

Here is the last update if you are interested in the process!

Rundisney Race Countdowns: 

• TODAY for Disneyland (well the Expo!) 
• 36 days until Tower of Terror (I will not be running this one! :( )
• 71 days until Wine and Dine
  
• 78 days until Avengers
  
• 132 days until Dopey
  
• 198 days until Avengers
  
• 140 days until Star Wars
• 175 days until Princess 
  
• 252 days until Tinkerbell! (sign up is next week!)

As you all know, I LOVE my rundisney races and I LOVE to be in costume. I have many races coming up (Dumbo Dare, Wine and Dine, Avengers, Dopey, Star Wars, Princess and Tink) so I am trying to start the costumes early so I can gather all of the things I need on sale and make great costumes. 

The Dumbo Dare has 2 races. The 10k on Saturday and the half on Sunday. 

10K theme is confirmed as Lilo and Stitch! I will be dressing as hula lilo. 

So far I have:

• pink sports bra for my top- bought at Target
  
• hula skirt-- bought at Party City
  
• hula wristlets and anklets- bought at Michaels and made at home
  
• hula headdress- bought at Michael's and made at home
  
• stitch armband- Hot Topic
  

 
HALF MARATHON
I will going as Dumbo inspired for the half. 

What I have:

• white shirt
  
• Dumbo headband
  
• running hat (which will look like the neck thing Dumbo wears)
  
• tutu (mom made)
  
• white shirt (mom sent)

Next week after the race, I will post how I made both of these costumes as they were so much fun! 

 I will be running as Bacchus from the Pastoral Symphony segment in Fantasia. 

What I have:

• white shirt- bought at Target
  
• white sports bra-bought at Target
• white tutu-made from materials from Michael's
• red scarf-got on clearance at Michael's
• wine cup-my grandma found it at Michael's in Texas

• headband with leaves and grapes

DONE!

I  will be running as Captain America for this race. (get it? first avengers half=first avenger!) 

What I have:

• captain america shirt-bought already
• Shield- from amazon
• mask- from amazon
• tights- 2 dollars at Target

What I need:

• skirt-I think my mom may make me another Sparkle skirt (versus me making a tutu)
• pants-may need to buy blue running pants

I am also working on my boyfriend's costume with Falcon. Not sure how this will come together but I have time! 

5K- Anna
Our group will be going as Frozen so I will be reusing my frozen costume!

10K-SHELLIE MAY OR GELATONI
Shellie May is Duffy's girlfriend from Tokyo or Gelatoni's Duffy's new friend that likes to paint. Decisions, decisions!!

Half-DONALD
as it's his half, he has to be my costume. 

Here is what I need and the status:

• blue shirt-bought at target
  
• yellow tights-already have
  
• white ribbon-have from Michael's
  
• white buttons-have from Michael's
  
• white skirt- will use same skirt from wine and dine
  
• blue hat- will buy from michaels
  

Full- DOPEY
end of the line-gotta dress as the name sake!!

what I need and the status:

• green shirt-got from target (long sleeve and short sleeve and sports bra)
  
• green skirt- will make with tulle from michaels. Tulle is bought
  
• purple hat- bought from Hot Topic
  
• blue tights- i think i have these
  

10k-planning for ewoks! So cute! I may buy a top of make an outfit on my own (I actually have an orange long sleeve running top with a hood)

Half- Princess Leia 

What I have:

• white shirt and bra
  
• white tutu
  
• white tights? 
  

What I need:

• silver belt
  
• cinnamon bun hair-waiting until Halloween
  
• blaster-waiting until Halloween

A new race! I was in for Glass Slipper but once it was announced that Frozen was the theme for the 5k, I was in for that as well!
I decided to let me sisters pick my costumes so I can start working on it. 

5k-Frozen themed as ELSA (I have run in my Anna costume so much, need something new!)
I need:

• blue shirt
  
• blue skirt
  
• white headband
  
• no wigs for me!

10k- I had my sisters pick my outfits so I will be Cinderella
I need:

• blue top
  
• light blue skirt
  
• blue headband
  
• black collar
  

Half- Sisters picked this one as well so I will be Ariel
I need:

• purple sports bra-bought from Target
  
• green skirt
  
• red hat-already have!
  
• red headband
  
• purple tank or shirt incase it's cold

So easy I already have everything. The main difference is it will be May so it could be really warm (I am used to my January costume). So I will need to switch out long sleeves for just a tank top and capris for shorts. 

I also want to find fuzzy balls to put on my shoes! I found some at Michael's but they don't seem big enough. I may order off of Etsy

I am in for the pixie challenge!


Yup, if you thought I had lost it before by signing up for Avengers, then Dopey, then Rebel Challenge and Glass Slipper, and then the  Princess 5k, I am all set to earn my pink coast to coast at Tinkerbell Half Marathon weekend by signing up for the Pixie Challenge. 


I had to fight through AP registration but I got in! (and my credit card is crying in the corner). 

I will be running the 10k on Saturday and the half on Sunday. Now onto figuring out my costume for the 10k (next week I will be updating all of my costumes). 

and because I am a super planner, I already booked my hotel for both nights too! 60 dollars a night with tac-woot woot!

Want to know how the race went last year? Here are all of my recaps:
Carb Loading
Expo
Half-Marathon
Post-Race Recovery

Who else is in for the Pixie Challenge?

Here we go again! A few days from registration (which already gets me stressed as Disneyland registration is always crazier than WDW) and they announce a new challenge!

THE PIXIE CHALLENGE
You will run the 10k on Saturday, May 9th at 5:30 AM
and then run the Half on Sunday, May 10th at 5:30 AM

You will get 3 medals-the 10k, Half and Pixie Challenge. Cost is $ 320. 

Now I thought about it and debated for about 5 minutes and decided YES. Tinkerbell is my legacy race, my favorite disney characters, and the 10k race last year looked pretty awesome! 

So this means since I am running Princess too,  I will earn 4 medals at Tink (just as I am going to earn 4 medals at Star Wars) when you count the coast to coast as well. 

But adding this race means that SOMETHING HAS GOT TO GIVE. I need to make a decision within the next year if I want to run every Disneyland race or pick and choose. It's a lot of money these challenges but I really do enjoy them! However that decision can wait for another day. Now to modify the tinkerbell training plan!! (more info coming in the next week!)

Who else is in for the Pixie Challenge? 

Hi all! Great news from last night-all of the Galloway training plans have been updated! And I mean ALL-Dumbo, wine and dine, dopey, glass slipper and even tinkerbell. I was able to write out my training miles until may 2015! Woohoo.

They even have 10k training plans which is great!



And even better as you can see from the picture above, it looks like we may have a new theme for the 10k as the training guide has a picture of stitch posted. That would be great if they changed the theme every year. Now if it is true, I guess I will be running the 10k as LILO in her Hawaiian outfit! Need to start planning (look out for a post next week about costume updates).



And it looks like the WDW 10k will stay Minnie themed as she is on the training plan.



However one thing I don't see is an Avengers training plan! Which is sad for Ralph since he wants to hop right in. Since it won't start until July they have time.



Anyone else check out the training plans? What do you think? What do you think of the potential new 10k theme?





So excited now to sign up for Dopey tomorrow!





PS-since it is 4/15 (don't forget to pay your taxes!) please remember the Boston Bombing tragedy of a year ago and keep all those affected in your thoughts and prayers as you go about your day. We will never forget! Boston Strong!!

I used to never want to check a bag as I did not want to deal with the lines. However as I have run more races, I have learned to put in a bag and what not to put! 

Here is my list for what I just used at the Great Race: 

• Magicband (room key and credit card!)-for WDW races
• ID-never know if you will be able to get a drink!
  
• Credit card and Money-sometimes you need it!
  
• Wipes-BEST IDEA! I pack face wipes and also baby wipes and towel off after racing. It really does make a difference until you can get to a shower
  
• Chaffing gel- you gotta put it on before and after
  
• Lip balm-may need
  
• Roller-I did this for Princess half marathon, and it helped recovery. I bring my hand roller
  
• Change of shoes- it's always good to get out of your sweaty socks and shoes
  
• Deodorant/perfume- may need depending on how long the race is
  
• I also pack these things in my bag the night before so I don't have to search for anything in the morning

Pack but take out/use:

• Hat- you can decide to wear it or not
  
• Sunglasses-same here
  
• iPod- need your music!
  
• Phone case-need to make sure it doesn't get ruined
  
• Food- breakfast-usually banana, PB and bread
  
• Drink-i always make tea in the morning. need the caffeine
  
• Coat-it may be cold! you will want to cover up.
  

What do you pack for your races? 

Missed the prior recaps? You are in luck!
Carb Loading
Expo
Half-Marathon
Post-Race Recovery


The next day I woke up at a normal time and dropped Ralph off at work before heading home and getting organized for the day. I knew I would need to roll again and stretch and I did that. I waited for Damian's flight to land and went to pick him up at his hotel in the OC before heading to Disneyland.



The drive took an hour and then 15 min to Disneyland and 15 min to get to te park so it was about 1 when we arrived. I was able to get Ralph's parking refunded from the day before and it was put on a gift card (even better!)



I wore my shoes and brought my medal to get a castle picture since I did t get to do that to day before.



Overall the park was insanely crowded. Such long waits so we didn't do much but the walking around helped my legs so much.



We ate lunch at flo's and had a cone for dinner. I've been. Craving both of these and the little bit of carbs I did have (roll with lunch and a cone for dinner) did upset my stomach but I was fine.





The best news of them all: we planned a trip to WDW in May from 22-30!! AP rates are cheap (all star sports is 95 a night) and we have (maybe) convinced Ralph to go too! He needs to see if he can take 3-4 days off. If he could come I would SO HAPPY. I think he would love it (Disneyland is growing on him) but Damian and I are excited to spend many days at WDW to be able to experience so much we usually can't do in short trips.



Also I convinced Damian to do the wine and dine half marathon!!! Yay for planning more trips.



I got home around 9 as couldn't sleep so I planned our entire WDW trip: parks and restaurant reservations! I didn't sleep much but I wasn't too sore.



The next morning I did a 2 mile training run and it did hurt a bit but I just slowed down. My training run on thursday-3 miles-was much better but still pretty slow.



Overall my post race strategy worked well. It also bodes well for princess half marathon weekend which is 1 month away!!





What are your post race traditions? When do you do your next training run?

Missed the prior recaps? You are in luck!
Carb Loading
Expo
Half-Marathon


Headed back to the room to shower and pack and get ready in a jif. Literally it was less than 20 minutes total!

We checked out of the room and walked the 10 minutes to the Disneyland hotel to get to goofys kitchen. The lobby was insane! It made us glad that we arrived at 1020 for a 1030 reservation. So many people everywhere and it took is about 5 min to check in and pay. But they were calling people quickly. After about a 25 minute wait, devin went to acquire how much longer and we were seated right after that.

We got our table and ran to get food. I wasn't that hungry walking over but whole waiting I got ravenous and went to bar and loaded up my plate and are a slice of Mac n cheese piZa immediately. I piled my plate and went back to the table where everyone made fun of me.

We saw a good amount of characters:

Goofy at the front

Pluto

Alice who we told it was our unbirthday

Jasmine who said she takes the magic carpet to the finish line of half marathons

Baloo who loved Ewok

dale who is my moms favorite



We saw all of the characters in under an hour. A good pace and we were able to get more food.



My second plate was fruit and dessert.

After lunch we walked to the car in Mickey n friends and back to the hotel to gather my stuff and off back to LA we went.

I felt fine but my stomach hurt-little did I know what was in store. I got home and my stomach seriously looked like I was 3-5 months pregnant. It could only mean one thing: GLUTEN STRIKES AGAIN.

I dealt with feeling bad for the next few hours however I don't regret it because the food was delicious!!

I did laundry, unpacked and started packing for Dallas. I rolled and put compression socks on and laid on the couch doing nothing. I was hoping to fall asleep but it didn't happen. I had dinner of stuffed bell pepper and watched football.

Ralph and I went to the airport to get his housemate who was starving from LAX so we stopped at mcdonalds on the way home. I got a BBQ ranch burger (only ate 1/2 of a bun because it was going to be a mess to eat without it) and a spicy chicken sandwich (I okay ate the chicken and lettuce) and felt full but not overly. After that I passed out in Ralph's lap at 1030. I went from feeling fine to just passing out!

Overall my post race recovery went well! I think I would limit the gluten next time (yes we plan on doing goofys kitchen after dumbo!) but overall my race went well so my recovery went well.



On to the next one:
Post-Race Recovery

Missed the prior recaps? You are in luck!
Carb Loading
Expo
Half-Marathon
Post-Race Recovery



As runners know, it's always a good idea to carb load before races (and long runs!) as a way to top of glycogen stores so you won't "hit the wall". If you have hit the wall before, and I definitely have, you know that it's no fun.

However carb loading can be over-done which isn't good for digestion and can slow you down-which no one wants!  

After consulting Mark's Daily Apple and Runner's World, I realized I need to carb load earlier than 2 days before because it can take 12-24 hours for the carbs to be "ready to use". I have decided to carb load starting Wednesday, and taking it easy the whole way. All you need for carb loading is an extra serving or two of carbs at each meals for 3-4 days before the event. No need to pile on the pasta the night before, which is very different from how I used to carb load. This is the first race I am really trying this including focusing less on pasta and bread and more on natural carbs such as rice, fruit, sugars, etc. I did this for my 20 miler and it worked well!

So here is my recap of my carbohydrate intact:

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: sweet potato patty, banana
Lunch: rice from veggie stir fry also a cookie and a slice of bread with peanut butter
Dinner: gluten free pasta (recipe and review coming next week!)

THURSDAY
Breakfast: banana 
Lunch: popcorn and a slice of angel food cake (this was legit my lunch-oops)
Dinner: side of pasta and half a potato, some steak

FRIDAY
Breakfast: 2 sweet potato patties, banana, blueberries
Lunch: veggies and rice, a few animal crackers, a pear
Dinner: some steak, half a potato, pasta, angel food cake with cranberry sauce, homemade Gatorade

SATURDAY
Breakfast: banana, caramel macchicato, potatoes and a breakfast sandwich
Lunch: 2 sweet potato patties, homemade Gatorade, red's apple freeze, samples of clif shots
Dinner: ravioli 

SUNDAY-RACE DAY
Breakfast: banana, bagel
Lunch: GOOFY'S KITCHEN (so many carbs!!!)
Dinner: 2 sweet potato patties, lots of Gatorade, a few french fries

MONDAY:
Breakfast: banana, Gatorade
Lunch: veggie bake and baked beans and bread 
Dinner: cone :) and a Dr. Pepper for the ride home

TUESDAY:
back to regular Primal eating 

How did it go? overall pretty well! No wall hitting and I felt very strong. I really did follow the "train low, race high" and I could tell a difference. I really wasn't even that hungry during the race. I fueled okay (more coming in the Tink recap) but ended very strong and was able to walk around after and the next day.

However, my biggest issue was with gluten. oh gluten-we really are on a breakup course :( after the breakfast sandwich I had crazy stomach cramps and bloating. I had the same thing after ravioli and goofy's kitchen was out of control. By the time I got home, I was so bloated it looked like I was 3 months pregnant. My stomach hurt after lunch and dinner yesterday at Disneyland as well but it wasn't too bad. It really is time to cut out the gluten. 

Today, i feel really good. I have had a bit more fruit today (blueberries, pear, banana) and also had leftover rice for lunch. I will continue to lessen the carbs through the week (gotta use up the leftovers!) until I am back on my normal track. 

LESSON LEARNED: no gluten before races. I have to work on really fueling with more sugars, starches and gluten free carbs. We will see how it goes for my 26 miler coming up in 2.5 weeks.