I have to start by saying this post is MONTHS over due!  I wrote it a few days after the marathon weekend and never posted.   In mid-February, we went to down Florida to spend time with Allyn’s family and for me to partake in the Glass Slipper Challenge, which is part of the Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

This was my first Disney race so I was super excited to get there, get my run packet, and run. We arrived at our Disney World Resort on Wednesday morning. Got checked in and then made our way to Disney World. Thursday was packet pick up. Friday evening was the Pasta in the Park Dinner at Epcot. Saturday, was the  first race, the 10K. Then Sunday was the half-marathon.  Allyn and my mom joined for the weekend.  This was also my mom’s first visit to Disney World, so in between the all of the running events we made our way through all four parks.

Packet Pick Up and Expo

  

Like with any running event, pack pick up and the Health and Fitness Expo is the opening event. Packet pick up started on Thursday morning. I had high expectations for the packet and the expo. However, the packet just consisted of your event shirt and your bib. I guess I was expecting something more. Other race packets I received have included coupons, or free sample. There was nothing extra.

The packet pick and expo were split between two buildings in ESPN Sports complex. The Expo was more of a big sales floor for runners. Every vendor for women’s running accessories was there. New Balance and Champion were the two main athletic clothing/running shoe vendor, since they both sponsors.  No, Brooks, Asics, Nike or Reebok. Disney had two areas for commemorative items (one in each building). When I was at the Expo, about an hour and half after the expo open and the merchandise was already picked over. Aside from all of the places to shop there was plenty of places to get your picture taken behind special RunDisney signage. There were a few vendors giving away run signs and paper tiaras.

Going into the expo I expected to see some Disney characters but there was none. In true Disney style, there were lines and people everywhere. People were going crazy of anything RunDisney or princess related. The Expo was definitely geared towards the Disney enthusiast the serious runner (such as myself) would probably find little value in the Expo.

10K

The 10K started at 5:30 am on Saturday morning. To catch bus at the resort and make it to the starting area on time I had to get at 3:30 am and was waiting for the shuttle bus at 4:00 am.

The morning of the race was unseasonably cold (upper 30s). I was in the last coral, which meant between I had to stand around in the cold. I kept moving and tried to keep my muscles lose and my body warm. Regardless what i did, my legs were cold and starting to cramping from having to wait so long.

Once I started running the cramping went away and I settled into a good pace. I ended up running about a 11:38 pace through out the race. My goal was not push myself and not run at my fastest pace, but to run steady. I was please that I was able to maintain a steady pace through out.

I really enjoyed the 10K course; the course taken you through the back entrance to Epcot, through Epcot’s World Showcase, then along the back part of the Boardwalk resort and back into Epcot to finish line. I have to say I enjoyed the 10K course over the half-marathon course.

I finished the race in one hour and eight minutes from the time I started running. However, the official race clock said around 2:00 hours (because it was the time the race started).

Along the course there were plenty of drink (hydration) stations. At the end of the race they gave you full size bottles of power aid and water along with a snack box.

Half-Marathon

Like the 10K, the half-marathon started at 5:30 am. After my experience of waiting for the shuttle bus the morning before Allyn volunteered to drop me off. I am not sure if this was a smart move or not. Between the closed roads and others trying to get to race, it taken almost 45 minutes to get drop off point. From the drop off area it was about a 3 mile walk to the coral area.   There was about twice as many people running the half marathon as the 10K the day prior.

Most of the half-marathon course was on the back and side roads and parking lots of Walt Disney World and Epcot.   The course was actually very narrow in places given the number of runners on the course.

Running through the Magic Kingdom was not the magical experience I thought it would be. My pace slowed down from a 10 minute pace to 16 minute pace. Between people stopping at take pictures and the course getting even more narrowing through the park it was hard to stay at consistence running place.

After I got through the Disney Park I was able to pick my pace back up and finish the race in about 3 hours.

The biggest disappointments with the half-marathon was that there were so many walkers on the course and that the tracking chip did not register correctly so my family ended up getting incorrect pace times and did make to the finish area in time to see me finish.

What made running Disney a great experience?

Disney is a magical place and I think that is what made this a running experience to remember. I mean where else can you have the Fair Godmother and Prince Charming see off at the start line. There was something interesting to see at each mile, from bands, performers, Disney Characters, and cheer squads.

The opportunity for a challenge also makes it a great experience. Many times you go out of town for a race weekend and you have to be there to pick up the run packet and attend the expo a few days before. Running two races back to back is different type of challenge. Running the half-marathon the day before helps energize you for the half-marathon. I was also able to get a sense of what the course was like. Getting an extra medal for my efforts was not bad either.

The bad and ugly (side) of the Princess Half Marathon Weekend?

Not to be a downer but I can think of a number of bad or ugly things about the Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Getting to the race takes a lot of work and I don’t mean just training. The training is the easy part.   If you are lucky enough to get registered for the race (you have to do it exactly at the time race registration opens), you must start planning for your trip to Disney immediately. It take a good chuck of time to get all of arrangements made.   Not only are resorts expensive but the good ones in proximity to race fill up fast.

The races are early … meaning they start at 5:30 but you have to be up at 3:00 am to catch the shuttle and get to your coral.

There are tons people at the races, both in terms of runners and spectators. This makes for lots of crowds and some times crowded running path, which can slow you down.

One thing that helps sale the Run Disney races, is the characters along the course. You see these great pictures of runners posing with various Disney characters on the Disney website. Basically if you plan on completely the race don’t plan to stop to get your picture taken. The lines for pictures witch characters along the course are long and eat into your race time.

The weekend can push you to your limits, both mentally and physically.  You are at Disney so way not take in the parks while you are there. Because of time we decided to do the parks before the race.  I was mentally and physically exhausted, before the race started, due to running around the parks the days before. This is was not a smart move. One thing you must do, especially if trying to complete a challenge, is pace yourself.

Was running Disney and participating in the Princess Half Marathon Weekend worth it?

Overall, YES. It was very memorable in so many ways.   When I had the three medals hanging around my neck the moment was priceless and all of training and planning had paid off.

When I started focusing heavily on running and working in 2010, I was mainly doing it for wellness reasons but what I came to release was that running was something I really enjoyed . Not only was it a good way to stay in shape and relieve stress, I also discovered that running could be very social and it allowed me to see places in a new light. Additionally, running was something that could be done anywhere and at any time!

The first “race” I ever ran was a 5K in Dallas – the Seton Soles 5K walk/run, which was sponsored by my church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.   I don’t remember my time or other details about the race but what I do remember is the people I ran with. After that race I became a part of a running group that met at different parks in the Dallas. It turned out to be a great way to meet people and learn area.

Later that year, while visiting Prague (Czech Republic). There was a flyer about a morning running group for tourist, in my hotel room. I meet up with the running group each morning I was there and got to see parts of the city I would not have otherwise seen, I got meet and talk to local runners, in addition to running and meeting people from all over the world. Running over the St. Charles Bridge, seeing the sunrise above the Prague Castle is an image that will be forever etched in my mind.

Over the next couple few years I would move several times. Running became my social icebreaker. I met people and made friends through running. Daily runs allowed me to explore new areas, leading to the discovery of restaurants, store and plenty of amazing sensory.

It was not until I was at the running expo for the Flying Pig Marathon, this past spring that and I saw a medal board that said “Run 50” that I got the idea I should run a half marathon or greater in each state.   I was already collecting run magnets for states I ran in, so why not make this a goal, I told myself.  So I did!!!

So, it is my goal to run at least a half marathon or longer in each state. I hope to complete this by the time I am 45 (giving myself 11 years, to do so). Since I have already completed half marathons in several states and I am going to count that towards my goals 🙂

My motivation for doing and completing this challenge is to see parts of America I would not otherwise see. Additionally I have friends all over the country, many who also run, this will give me a chance to run with friends and make new friends along the way. Plus this is great motivation to stay in shape.

I am hoping to recap all of my runs on here. This will help me track my progress, in addition to capturing my thoughts and feelings on the race.    Be sure to check out my site for my bucket list of races, pictures, recaps, running stories and much more!

Guess what today is? It’s National Running Day!!!

Since national running day occurred during the work week, I only went for my normal 5 mile run tonight.  This weekend I am hoping to get in a couple longer runs.

To celebrate running day here is a little running survey 🙂

1. Why do you run?

I run because …

Running helps me stay in shape

Running allows me to eat

Running keeps my happy

Running has given me mental fortitude

Running has allowed me to see places in a whole new way

Running clears my mind

For the medals 🙂

2. How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day?

By running of course!!!

…I also registered for a few fall races.

3. How many miles have you run so far this year?

785 miles

4. What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?

This past winter it was Disney Princess half marathon which I completed in February.   In the fall, the big race will be the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Vegas.

5. Before you leave for a run you must have:

iPhone charged, water and a piece of gum

6. Do you have one favorite app to track your runs?

Not really apps but my Garmin or now my Apple watch are my go to tracking devices.

7. Who is your favorite running partner?

I really don’t have one.  I honestly enjoy running by myself, it helps me relax.

8. What races have you ran so far this year?

Disney Enchanted 10K

Disney Princess Half Marathon

Bockfest 5K

Little Kings Mile

The Flying Pig

9. If you had to give someone one piece of advice about running what would it be?

It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run, what matters is that you are out there running 🙂

10.  Describe your relationship with running in one word:

Fulfilling

Well, we are almost through the first month of 2015, which is hard to imagine.   First off, I have been a bit quiet on the blog because lots of things have been happening and are in the works. As a result, the blog has taken a back seat as I settle into 2015 and focus on upcoming projects and adventures.

But here is a recap of what’s been happening …

#1 Making Holiday Memories …

The 2014 holiday season marked the first holiday for Allyn and I as a married couple and in our new home in Kentucky. For Thanksgiving, we filled out home with family, enjoyed a great feast and a weekend of family togetherness. In the weeks that followed we explored and taken in the holiday sites and traditions of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area. We did a quick trip down to San Antonio where enjoy Christmas with my mom and members of my extended family. We rang in 2015 from the comfort of our home.

#2 Marathon Training …

With my first running challenge of 2015 fast approaching (in 23 days). I have settled back into a daily running and exercise routine; along with healthy eating. So far I have run 106 miles in 2015. Back to training also means back to counting calories, cooking healthy and meal planning.

#3 Winter Weather …

While we have not had many heavy snowfalls this season we have had our share of cold temperatures. The first full week brought temperatures in the single digits and below zero (a first for me). The ponds were frozen over and learning how layer has become a common practice for me.

#4 Organization and Planning…

As we said good 2014, I said hello to the organization of new trips, adventures, and projects for 2015. The first project I tacked in 2014 was the organization of the kitchen pantry. Some however the pantry was the one thing that didn’t get organized after the move and after the holiday was in state of disarray, which I could no longer stand. After a trip to the Container Store and several hours of rearranging all of the pantry contents – it is now completely organized. The organizations of several new projects are also on the horizon both at work, home and academically. If all goes plan 2015 will year of expanding my horizons, learning and new collaborations.

New adventures are being planned for trips near and far. This year we plan to incorporate various members of our family into our adventures, as we explore both coasts. Travel to foreign lands may also be on the horizon. Now that we are settled in Northern Kentucky / Cincinnati I plan to explore my new local area.

While 2014 was year of change and rebuilding, in so many ways; I look forward to many new adventures in 2015, along with new ways of growing, news ways of learning, and sharing my knowledge with the world.

Here’s to a great year!!!!

I am writing a blog post! Crazy!

Perhaps before any regular blogging can happen, I have some serious catching up to do! In a nutshell, I have been busy. Life over the past couple of months has included a new kitty, a cross-country move, setting up a new house, and starting a new job.

Blog World let me introduce you to Sammy!

Two weeks before we moved a friend’s daughter found a litter of  kittens.  After seeing pictures of the litter on Facebook we decided  that we should go see them and we came home with Sammy.

At first Sophie was not to welcoming of her new brother but after several weeks they are now buddies (for the most part).  I was kind of nervous about getting a kitten weeks before it all worked out.

Early May: We officially packed up our house in San Antonio. We let the movers take all of our “big” pieces and we filled a U-Haul with  all of Allyn’s tools, stuff the movers would not take and the Scirocco (behind the U-Haul of course).

After two days of intense driving we finally arrived at our new home  in Florence, Kentucky.

Since we arrived a few days before the moving truck we had to time to paint a few rooms before the furniture arrived.

After we got everything into the house – we made another trip down to San Antonio to pick up our Cats and close out the house in San Antonio.

Memorial Day weekend was spent driving two cats from San Antonio to  Northern Kentucky. We survived the road trip and the cats even enjoyed  their first say in a hotel room.

At the beginning of June I started the next chapter of my career at the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives on the campus of Hebrew Union College.

Overall I am settling into my new life in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. There have been a few moments of  frustration and homesickness but many more moments of excitement. I look forward to  exploring a new area and living in a new part of the country!!!

The exhibit Diana: A Celebration is making its final stop at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The exhibition celebrates the life of Diana (Spencer), Princess of Wales. Included in the traveling exhibition are items from Althorp Estate, the Spencer Family’s ancestral home in England.

Containing around 150 items, the exhibit provides an insight into Diana’s life from her childhood to her death. The highlight of her exhibit is the dress Diana wore when she married Prince Charles. Also noteworthy are the Althorp family jewels, which opens the exhibit. Perhaps the most touch items on display include those from Diana’s childhood: ballet shoes, toys, Diana’s school uniform and trunk. Accompanying these items are home movies captured by her father, who was an amateur photography. Another enjoyable aspect of the exhibit is a collection of dresses worn by Diana, including clothing she worn while raising awareness of landmines.

The exhibit does not place negative emphases on her death yet commemorates her death by showing how her loss was mourned throughout the world. Included in the exhibit are condolence books from the around the world, a draft of Earl Spence’s (Diana’s brother) eulogy and a signed draft of Elton John’s Candle in the Wind.

Throughout the exhibit there are panels providing information on Diana’s life; this could lead to good amount of reading. The exhibit also contains a fair number of video footage of significant events in the life of Diana. Available for an additional charge is an audio guide available. The audio guide provides extra information on the items and provides discussion on the design of Diana’s wedding gown and the other clothing items on display. If you plan on reading all of the exhibit panels and listing to the audio, plan to spend several hours in the exhibit. However, if you plan to just leisurely stroll through the exhibit, the exhibit may be viewed in about 30 minutes.

Diana: a Celebration will be on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center through August 17. Entry fees for the exhibit range from $24 for adults and $16 for children; the audio guide can be purchased for $5. Members of the Cincinnati Museum Center will receive a discount on the entry for the exhibit. Advanced tickets can be purchased.

The ticket prices seem a little high given the length of the exhibit. It was first thought that proceeds from the tickets were going to support the Princess Diana Fund yet no information about this could be found on the exhibition’s website.

At the end of the exhibit, the Cincinnati Museum Center has prepared a short exhibit entitled Daughters of the Queen City. The exhibit celebrates the legacy of Cincinnati women. This is a great example of local women’s history.

When I started this blog I was grieving the loss of my grandfather, dealing with learning my former husband was gay, going through a divorce, living in a big house all alone,  I let myself go, and I was trying to figure out which career path was best for me.  Three years later, I am dealing with the loss of my grandmother (one of the women who raised me), I have found love, and married my soul mate.  I have started taking care of me.  I have learned that archives and history is the correct career field for me, but I am still figuring out how I want to accomplish my goals and dreams.

I have found Amy.  She is a girl who longs for learning, loves her family and friends, loves to explore the world around her.  She is artistic and academic, she is athletic and competitive, and she is constantly striving for her best and reaching for her dreams.

The last couple of weeks have taken me on a journey I have never expected: I watched my grandmother die, was married, and let go of a dead-end job.  In the process, I have learned what is the most important to me: family, happiness, and integrity.  Without these three, I cannot be who I am really am.

Sometimes finding YOU means moving out of your comfort zone.  Sometimes it means standing up for what you think is right or just, even when others may not understand.  Sometimes it means taking a risk.

Recently I started a new journey of finding Amy.  I am working on better defining who I am.  I am chasing my dreams and taking risks.  This is my journey…

My Oh my … I cannot believe it is has been this long since I sat down and wrote a blog post.  Life has been GOOD but time just seems to be flying by.  My camera and phone seem to be filled with pictures but I have not had time to sitting down to edit or organize them much less blog about them.  The hustle and bustle of the last few months have been so memorable and rewarding.

1. We attended the Chief’s Ball

Allyn is a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy.  In September we attended that Khaki Ball with is semi-formal dinner for the Navy Chiefs.  The Chiefs wear their khaki uniforms and it is semi-formal for the unlisted spouses and significant others.  At the Khaki Ball Chief who just made the rank are welcomed to the mess.  There is also lots of socializing, dancing and fun!!!  For me it was a good introduction of what type of community and family the Navy and the Chief’s Mess is.

2.  We went to the Navy Ball … and Allyn proposed…

October 11 we attended the Navy Ball for Allyn’s command.   It was at the Oak Hill Country Club – lovely location!!! Different from the Chief’s Ball the Navy Ball includes people from all ranks and since he is at a joint command, people from other branches military are invited.

Allyn seems a little “nervous” that night … kind of like he was hiding something or that he was nervous about something.  After dinner and speeches the toasts started.  During the toast section of Ball, Allyn made the final proposal and it was one of marriage.  Allyn asked me if I would embark on a new adventure with him … if I would marry him.  Allyn got down on knee … I was in total shock.  All of his military buddies were in on it and could not have been more supportive and excited for us.  I am a hard person to surprise and Allyn pulled it off.  I still do not really know how it came up with the idea and how he pulled it off but for one night, I felt like a princess.  I think I spent half the evening in shock.  For me it was like a fairy tale ending or beginning!!!

3.  We started planning our wedding

After the reality of “we are engaged” set in we started talking about where, when and how we wanted to get married.  We decided that we wanted to get married at the same time Allyn retired from the Navy – January 31, 2014.  We also both wanted a small ceremony and reception with just our close family and friends.  The end result was…

Tower of the Americas

February 1, 2014

4.  Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky

At the beginning of November, we head up North to Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky.  Allyn was exploring a post retirement job opportunity with the website he works for.  We were also able to have some fun with friends and explore the area.

5.  The Rock n Roll – San Antonio Half Marathon

Just a week after returning from our trip I laced up my running shoes and ran in the Rock n Roll Half Marathon.  I completed the race in around 3 hours…  I think what I was most proud of is that I never stopped and I was always moving.  Another proud moment was crossing the finish line running!!!  I can’t wait to do another half marathon!!!