A Pink Pixie Princess - Complete!

[pxefig]

Finanally caught up on the bajillion pages I missed I'm on my iPad since I very grudgingly - I mean lovingly!- gave up my monitor for my kids' computer. And Dis keeps logging me out and not saving my multi-quite responses and I am just too darn lazy for this kind of posting stress! What am I supposed to use to remember everything I want to comment on? My memory? Are we in the dark ages?!
But I'm here for the marathon clothing talk which is really the most important so whew!

You need a BB-8 something for one of the races and since you have the top AND the hoodie weather won't really impact the overall look. And I think the 5k is the race to just wear what you want and just not even care about weather because it will be the shortest amount of time to deal with the elements. That Cani and skirt work so well together!

I love the mentality for your marathon top. A bit a grit is needed for this marathon, I'd say. What other skirt options for the run or die tank? I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say I'm not in love with wither with the tie dye. The swirly zen and the ridged plaid just are meh with the tie dye. And the shirt just needs to shine.

I would post pics of my doggies but I have four of them and it would feel like downright thread jacking to post pics of them all! But in line with dog thought bubbles, if any of you haven't seen this you NEED to watch it. Two minute video will make you feel so so happy!

 

[ZellyB]

@pxefig I've seen that video before and LOVE it!

 

[Ariel484]

No love for Lucky Charm, you guys?!

Love Bandit with the Kimono skirt. Great combo. And I also love the idea of the Run or Die shirt for the marathon. Perfect execution of the theme behind the shirt. I actually like it with Lucky Charm better. (Sorry, Mr. A.) Love that it's a salute to the Irish Lass in you and I like the way it picks up the green in the shirt.

Someone else on FB posted that Bandit/Kimono combo and I was like I MUST HAVE THAT. I really like that skirt but it is so hard to match!

You are my one vote for Lucky Charm, and I thank you for that since that is the one I REALLY want to wear.

I like the zen with the marathon top (sweet tank, btw!) because the color scheme is similar and the pattern on the zen closer resembles that of the top. But I am by no means a fashion guru.

It’s definitely a sweet tank! It was sort of an impulse purchase for me, I’ll admit, but it’s not one of my favorites.

I like the Zen better from that picture....but after creepily stalking your instagram to go shopping in your closet for you...edited to change my mind and I'm back on the Zen. But to be completely annoying...what about the black unicorn skirt with the tie-dye??? Just throwing that out there to mess you up!

The black skirt would totally work, but...

Although having that black one on standby for any possible future releases is a good bet too, since it really goes with almost everything.

^^this!! I’m saving it in case I get something else in the mail before the races, although we’re getting pretty close here, so I may not get it in time!

Love your first outfit! I agree that the Zen skirt looks better with the Run or Die top.

Zen is the overwhelming favorite, it seems…

Late to the puppy party, but here's my big guy. Got him from the shelter when he was just 8 weeks old and my how he's grown.

Have a smaller gal too, but she's not as photogenic. She's cute in my eyes though!

HI PUPPY!! Hooray for another shelter pup! : He’s so pretty. I wanna see your other pup!!

If you want votes I think zen with marathon top. The plaid conflicts with the the tye dye too much maybe, but a "lucky" skirt might be just the thing for the marathon. The tye dye will look sharp in photos!

I think I could use the luck, to be honest! I agree that the tie dye will look great in photos, it’s totally groovy.

I vote Zen!

Y’all love your purple!

It's his manspreading pose. Boys. What can you do?

I'm sorry getting a cat didn't work out, but you've always got your crazy pup to entertain and love you!!

What a sassy cat! I’m still sad about the cat not working out, to be honest (Mr. A is, too). But we do love our pup!!

All dogs are puppies. Always! Even if they're giant adult mastiff. Puppy!

AGREED!

Yep that was fort wilderness just a few weeks ago. Mallory loves the fort. With her in the cart, I have to bring her with on vacation. I posted lots of dog pics on the camping board. We actually have a group running in Jan, so there will be a few of us at the fort.

Hooray! Will the pups be there, too?

Love all the things you post. Gotten many ideas for new things. I even buy InB. Glad you are back. I don't post much maybe I should. Like the fact that I am doing 14 miles this weekend and it is cold here, can't imagine how Cleveland will be (I can, grew up in suburbs of Chicago).

Let’s just say, the 14-miler did NOT work out this weekend. I find myself again wondering why I thought a January marathon was a good idea…?!

I love the 5K/10K outfit ... that Bandit Camisole is beautiful!

Isn’t it?! I love it so much!!

I have to admit, I also never really got the "Run or Die" thing, but ... I like that it has a symbolic meaning to you. It really has been a difficult year for you (in terms of the running, at least), and I think it's awesome that you've found a shirt that symbolizes your journey!

Yeah, some people just LOVE it. I wouldn’t say I LOVE it, but I get it a little more.

I actually got 2 other Run or Die shirts in mystery packs recently and ended up selling one and trading the other away. I do love the tie dye shirt but in general I am not a skull kinda gal.

In terms of the skirt ... I like the Zen. They're both cute, but I think the pattern on the Zen works a little better than the Lucky Charm one. But if you think you'll need a "Lucky Charm" for the marathon, you can definitely go with that option!

I love both options!! Arrrg

Great outfits so far! The bandit camisole with the kimono skirt is beautiful! And rock on with your run or die theme! I think that's perfect- you have become quite the runDisney bad a** so it's a great symbol to your running year

My vote is zen as well, but both will look great!

Thanks…I am not feeling like a runDisney bad@$$ lately! Maybe I NEED the skull for that reason!

This so frequently dictates my outfit, I can't even count the amount of times. I totally hear ya! Run or Die with the Zen skirt is my vote!

So annoying, right?! Stupid bras!!

YEAH for you! I was wondering if it had when I saw they had recently chosen-I can't think of a better InB ambassador!

Thanks! I am happy that they decided to keep me on! I had to re-apply a couple of months ago so I was wondering!

I love Bandit-am on an ISO list now and one came up...holding my breath until 7 tonite!

Did you get it?! I got mine from the ISO list – I was SO happy!

Oh, I love irish things- but I kinda like the zen better too. Whichever you decide will of course look amazing!

Thanks! So many votes for Zen!!

Working on a Christmas photo project, saw this and thought I'd add our puppy too! Back to the running skirt, I voted for zen to match the top, but I'd really like the lucky charm skirt. Is it still available?

View attachment 209690

OMG, I LOOOOOVE your puppy! How old? Archie does that head tilt too, so funny!!

I’ll keep my eye out for a Lucky Charm skirt, what size are you looking for?

Finanally caught up on the bajillion pages I missed

I'm on my iPad since I very grudgingly - I mean lovingly!- gave up my monitor for my kids' computer. And Dis keeps logging me out and not saving my multi-quite responses and I am just too darn lazy for this kind of posting stress! What am I supposed to use to remember everything I want to comment on? My memory? Are we in the dark ages?!

But I'm here for the marathon clothing talk which is really the most important so whew!

What a nice mom you are! The DIS is being a pain for me lately, I am doing these replies in a Word document that I’m going to paste into the browser when I’m done…sigh.

Also, I agree that clothes are the priority

You need a BB-8 something for one of the races and since you have the top AND the hoodie weather won't really impact the overall look. And I think the 5k is the race to just wear what you want and just not even care about weather because it will be the shortest amount of time to deal with the elements. That Cani and skirt work so well together!

Good point about the 5K. That’s what I’m leaning toward for the cami outfit.

BB8 is in the *running*!! PUNS LOL. I have a couple of bottoms that I think could work with the shirt.

I love the mentality for your marathon top. A bit a grit is needed for this marathon, I'd say. What other skirt options for the run or die tank? I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say I'm not in love with wither with the tie dye. The swirly zen and the ridged plaid just are meh with the tie dye. And the shirt just needs to shine.

Those are really the best skirt options except for the black skirt, as roxymama said above. I am likely going to use the black skirt for something else...possibly BB8 or another shirt, not sure yet?

Here’s Zen with the Run or Tie Dye. Definitely need to be comfortable with pattern mixing!

I would post pics of my doggies but I have four of them and it would feel like downright thread jacking to post pics of them all!

I would not be mad.

But in line with dog thought bubbles, if any of you haven't seen this you NEED to watch it. Two minute video will make you feel so so happy!

OH HELLO NEW FAVORITE VIDEO!!!

Gah, what a beautiful dog. I want him!!

 

[girliea]

Did you get it?! I got mine from the ISO list – I was SO happy!

Got it! Now waiting for it to get here!!

I like your picks! Great choices!

 

[Ariel484]

Dopey Challenge Training
Week 14 (12/5) - 21 miles completed/33 miles planned
MO: 5 miles
TU: yoga
WE: 5 miles
TH: rest
FR: 9 miles
SA: 2 miles (14 miles planned)
SU: yoga

Just 1 week left until TAPER!! SQUEEEEE

This week started off with two - UGH, two! - 5-mile treadmill runs. I was completely dreading these but they weren’t too bad. I find that the best way for me to "survive" these longer treadmill runs is to break them up into smaller portions/mix them up a bit. So I started off doing run 6 minutes/walk 1 minute intervals. Did two of those and then ran 5:30/walked 1 minute twice, then 5:00/1:00 twice, etc...chopping off 30 seconds every other interval. So the run intervals got shorter and shorter, which sort of felt like a “reward” for continuing to survive without going insane! I’ve done something like this before and have altered the speeds (like when the running interval gets shorter, I go 0.1 MPH faster) but for these runs I just kept the running interval speed constant. At this point it’s not like I’m going to gain crazy speed or anything before the race weekend - I just want to get the miles in. So mixing up the intervals helped, along with the fact that there was a TV right in front of my face. It was HOT in the cardio room during both runs, but I think that’s good prep in case it’s really warm during Marathon Weekend. Monday’s run went better than Wednesday’s run, but both were okay and I am SO glad they are done!

Other happenings this week...

Princess medal reveal, as shown in this GIGANTIC photo OMG WHY IS IT SO BIG! My thoughts:

Kids medallion: adorable as usual
5K medal: PERFECT! I was really going back and forth over doing the 5K, and I’m glad I signed up. Such a cute medal!
10K medal: Like it a lot! Very detailed. My only complaint - super minor - is that I don’t like how “10K” is white.
Half Medal: I am in the great minority, I think, but...LOVE. I think it’s just perfect for the movie, and I may be one of the few that is happy it’s NOT a tiara. I am not a tiara gal, and this one is so unique! I have a feeling this one will look better in person, because I think the picture quality on the Disney Blog Post is not very good.
GSC: Still like it, but not blown away like the other medals. I don’t freak out over spinners like some do - it’s cool but it doesn’t, like, MAKE the medal for me.

After the disappointment of missing this year’s PHM weekend, these medals make me tons more excited for 2017! And hey, runDisney, if you need someone to take halfway decent pics of your medals, I AM available! Because the pic above is not that good!

Also, on Tuesday I booked my Tink flights! Thanks to @roxymama for the reminder that Southwest opened these dates. I was able to book using points, and after 2 trips to Disneyland flying into LAX, I’m going to try out flying into John Wayne this time. I’m excited for this change - the flight times are still pretty good, the prices weren’t bad (though I used points, so RT only cost me $12 or whatever those Southwest fees are - and woohoo for free checked bags!), and the drive to Disneyland is WAY shorter compared to LAX. I’m not sure if I’ll use SuperShuttle like I have for past trips, or try the Disneyland Resort Express...would be nice not to cram into a van...on the other hand, the drive IS pretty short and the Disneyland Express only gets so-so reviews...hmmmm.

My 9-miler this week was okay...temperatures/conditions were great until the last 2 miles or so when the wind picked up and it was miserable! Blech.

On Saturday, I had a 14-miler scheduled. Originally I was going to do this run on Sunday, but I saw that we were under a winter weather advisory with a decent amount of snow forecasted beginning Saturday evening into Sunday, so I moved the run to Saturday. It was VERY cold and despite the fact that the BIG snow was supposed to come Saturday night, we'd gotten snow overnight on Friday and the sidewalks were covered.

I SO did not want to do this run, but I got dressed and headed out. I was not into it from the start.

I thought the sidewalks would be okay - running on some snow isn't a big deal - but it turned out that they were icy! I slipped a few times and then decided that I needed to do the rest of the run in the street, which I absolutely HATE doing. I hate dodging cars, and the edges of the streets near me are sloped, so there was a good chance my IT Bands were going to act up. It didn't take long for me to decide to just turn around and head home after a mile or so...so I only got to 2 miles.

I could make all the excuses I want as to why I cut this run short, but the biggest thing is that I just did not want to do it. I think I am burned out on these loooong runs, and I think the burnout has been building up since Wine & Dine. When I got home from the run, I admitted to Mr. A - and to myself for the first time - that it probably would have been a better idea to sign up for the half in January, not for Dopey (or Goofy like I originally did). From a physical standpoint it probably would have been a better idea to give myself more time to recover from the sciatica, but more than that, mentally I have not been into these long runs once they got past the half marathon distance (which...there was no way to forsee that back back when I registered for Goofy and then transferred to Dopey, but whatever). I even wondered out loud if transferring to the half would be a good call. Mr. A talked me off of the ledge though, pointing out that I'd already done so much to get to this point - may as well see it through.

So...not a great place to be at mentally with this week being my peak week! I need to turn it around and finish out training as best as I can, because I know I'll regret it if I phone it in this week.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Got it! Now waiting for it to get here!!

I like your picks! Great choices!

Yeah!! Hope you love it! I ended up *gasp* cutting the built-in bra out of mine! Just did not work for me!

 

[pixarmom]

Puppy is two years old now - that photo was when she was 4 months. But she will always be a puppy! Skirt size is 0, so if you ever see lucky charm in that size, would love to know!

Yes to burnout. I'm happy I registered for Dopey and am really looking forward to running it. On the other hand, I have a 20-miler scheduled for tomorrow and my enthusiasm is very low. I feel like I can complete Dopey comfortably without doing the 20-miler tomorrow. I ran a 20-miler a few weeks ago and it was fine. I'll run another only because I told myself I would, and because that's what people do when training for this. But yeah, thinking I'll go back to half marathons after this. On the other hand, that's exactly what I said at this very time two years ago when training for the 2015 WDW Marathon.

 

[ZellyB]

You are my one vote for Lucky Charm, and I thank you for that since that is the one I REALLY want to wear.

I'm happy to be your one vote! Not long ago I would have probably voted Zen, but I think I've been on the Facebook group long enough and gotten used to all the InB pattern matching that I'm a lot more comfortable with some mixing it up with patterns. Really, though, either way, it would be an awesome outfit.

I'm sorry your long run didn't work out. I'm really with you on being sick of the long runs right now. I get this way every time before a race. We are doing our 10/20 back to back this weekend and I am soooo not wanting to do it already. I know you'll do fine though during Dopey. You are a strong runner and the fun and magic of running through Disney will carry you through! I did tell Chris though the other day, that after Dopey 2018, I'm hanging up my marathon shoes I think. I just enjoy half marathons so much more. Of course, I've sworn off marathons before and I always seem to cave again, but right now, I think the one in 2018 might be my last. We'll see. We are almost there though and I can't wait to be in Disney again.

I really like the Princess medals and agree with you on the half marathon one. I think it's just perfect for a Belle centered race. I'm also not a big tiara fan, so maybe that's also why I like it. That Mrs. Potts and Chip 5K though!! LOVE!!!! Wishing I was running the race just for that medal!

 

[SarahDisney]

I think it's really important that you're running the marathon. Since the whole sciatica issue started, you've been working hard to reach certain milestones. You've already run your first half since the injury, which means its time to step up to another milestone - a marathon. I'm guessing that you wouldn't have enjoyed a local marathon as much as you'll enjoy Disney, so basically, your options for hitting this milestone were either now or next January, which is really far away.
Yes, December training can be really hard. But do you really want to sit here and wonder if this one injury has stopped your marathon-running ability? Or do you want to go back to this marathon that you've enjoyed in the past and prove to yourself that you've (mostly) recovered from the injury and you're once again capable of running those same distances that you ran before the injury? I'd say the answer is pretty obvious.
I definitely understand the feeling of burnout (especially because I'm currently in the middle of my own December slump), but I do think that Dopey was a good decision for you. Physically, you're probably mostly ready. All you have to do is somehow make it through the next few weeks, and then it'll be time for you to rock Dopey!

Also ... those Princess medals are perfect (although I wish they could have done something with the rose on the half to make it look like it was inside the glass dome thingy). I was actually thinking of trying to find a way to do it ... except that I'm possibly going to be out of the country the week before, and I don't know that I'd be feeling up to going down to Florida right after I get home. So now I just get to be super jealous of the awesome people like you who are going to earn those medals.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

I'm sorry that you're feeling burnt out. I know it's a lot easier said than done, but just take things one day at a time, while always thinking about your ultimate awesome Dopey goal. You are going to do great.

Congrats on booking your Tink flights. That's always exciting, and makes an upcoming trip seem more real!

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Princess medals. Beauty and the Beast is my very favorite Disney movie (and it may be my favorite movie in general too!), so I'm drooling over them! I usually never think about doing a race just for the medals, but those B/B would be the exception for me! Really wish I was running it!

 

[pixarmom]

Another yay for Tink flights! I would love to run Tink at some point. Would stay at the beach and drive in for the race. Prefer Tink theme over Princess and I really enjoy DL courses, even though they contain out-of-park road time. Never works with the kids' school schedules - but someday!

 

[Sailormoon2]

Also sorry to hear you are struggling a bit mentally, but I am sure you are still going to have a great Dopey experience! I am sooo in love with those Princess medals, and I think the Half one is the absolute best-so original!!!

 

[Keels]

Also, on Tuesday I booked my Tink flights! Thanks to @roxymama for the reminder that Southwest opened these dates. I was able to book using points, and after 2 trips to Disneyland flying into LAX, I’m going to try out flying into John Wayne this time. I’m excited for this change - the flight times are still pretty good, the prices weren’t bad (though I used points, so RT only cost me $12 or whatever those Southwest fees are - and woohoo for free checked bags!), and the drive to Disneyland is WAY shorter compared to LAX. I’m not sure if I’ll use SuperShuttle like I have for past trips, or try the Disneyland Resort Express...would be nice not to cram into a van...on the other hand, the drive IS pretty short and the Disneyland Express only gets so-so reviews...hmmmm.

I take Uber from SNA and it's SO EASY. And fast. And cheap! I've paid $10 and $12 dollars and am at my hotel in like 10-15 minutes. THE BEST. I haven't bought plane tickets yet, but maybe I can time it out right and was can ride together!

I could make all the excuses I want as to why I cut this run short, but the biggest thing is that I just did not want to do it. I think I am burned out on these loooong runs, and I think the burnout has been building up since Wine & Dine. When I got home from the run, I admitted to Mr. A - and to myself for the first time - that it probably would have been a better idea to sign up for the half in January, not for Dopey (or Goofy like I originally did). From a physical standpoint it probably would have been a better idea to give myself more time to recover from the sciatica, but more than that, mentally I have not been into these long runs once they got past the half marathon distance (which...there was no way to forsee that back back when I registered for Goofy and then transferred to Dopey, but whatever). I even wondered out loud if transferring to the half would be a good call. Mr. A talked me off of the ledge though, pointing out that I'd already done so much to get to this point - may as well see it through.

I'm in the same place mentally, and it really sucks. I've had to ramp back a little bit because of running on the Hamster Wheel and I'm getting some butt pain (Piriformis, I'm guessing ...) and it's just. so. frustrating.

The thing that's keeping me focused is that this is a goal that I REALLY need to achieve as a "reward" for not giving up after a year of being hurt and missing out on two major races I was so excited to get in to run. And I've done it before, so I'm not going in to it completely blind - but the Marathon is definitely going to be more about "survival" than "success" at this point. And I'm fine with that - I still will earn all that bling, will have all the fun shirts and will be in DISNEY WORLD with my favorite people on the planet (you included, obviously!) ... as long as I keep that in mind, I can get myself through a workout when I don't really want to.

 

[bananabean]

I would post pics of my doggies but I have four of them and it would feel like downright thread jacking to post pics of them all! But in line with dog thought bubbles, if any of you haven't seen this you NEED to watch it. Two minute video will make you feel so so happy!

I've now watched this video like 10 times. I just met you and I love you.

 

[pixarmom]

I take Uber from SNA and it's SO EASY. And fast. And cheap! I've paid $10 and $12 dollars and am at my hotel in like 10-15 minutes. THE BEST. I haven't bought plane tickets yet, but maybe I can time it out right and was can ride together!

I love, love, love SNA!!!! I think it's my favorite airport of all time. We fly into the the L.A. area at least once a year and sometimes twice. Growing up, I'd always fly into SNA with my family but as I became responsible for flight costs, I started trying to save $$ and flew into LAX. Then kids, so for the past almost-18 years, I've been trying to get direct flights - which means LAX. But I really dislike LAX and I'm done. Kids are more than old enough to deal with a flight that's not non-stop and the extra $ we save flying into LAX is absolutely not worth it. SNA is calm, peaceful, clean, beautiful and it's SO easy to get to either Newport Beach/Balboa Island or DL from there. Completely agree with Keels - Uber (or cab) is the way to go.

 

[Ariel484]

Puppy is two years old now - that photo was when she was 4 months. But she will always be a puppy! Skirt size is 0, so if you ever see lucky charm in that size, would love to know!

I'll keep an eye out!!

Yes to burnout. I'm happy I registered for Dopey and am really looking forward to running it. On the other hand, I have a 20-miler scheduled for tomorrow and my enthusiasm is very low. I feel like I can complete Dopey comfortably without doing the 20-miler tomorrow. I ran a 20-miler a few weeks ago and it was fine. I'll run another only because I told myself I would, and because that's what people do when training for this. But yeah, thinking I'll go back to half marathons after this. On the other hand, that's exactly what I said at this very time two years ago when training for the 2015 WDW Marathon.

I *think* I could complete Dopey at this point, but I know that doing a simulation week would give me such a confidence boost...

I also think I'll be capping it at half marathons from now on - though I have said that before! But it's crazy to think that I could have set it up to peak at 12 miles and not 20. Sigh...

I'm happy to be your one vote! Not long ago I would have probably voted Zen, but I think I've been on the Facebook group long enough and gotten used to all the InB pattern matching that I'm a lot more comfortable with some mixing it up with patterns. Really, though, either way, it would be an awesome outfit.

Yes - you totally have to be okay with pattern mixing!! I showed Run or Tie Die/Lucky Charm to Mr. A again yesterday and he still said it was a no-go. Wahhhh.

I'm sorry your long run didn't work out. I'm really with you on being sick of the long runs right now. I get this way every time before a race. We are doing our 10/20 back to back this weekend and I am soooo not wanting to do it already. I know you'll do fine though during Dopey. You are a strong runner and the fun and magic of running through Disney will carry you through! I did tell Chris though the other day, that after Dopey 2018, I'm hanging up my marathon shoes I think. I just enjoy half marathons so much more. Of course, I've sworn off marathons before and I always seem to cave again, but right now, I think the one in 2018 might be my last. We'll see. We are almost there though and I can't wait to be in Disney again.

Yeah, I feel silly for complaining when I am sure everyone else in the same boat I am!!

Thank you for the confidence boost. I know you are right that being in Disney will help. Not a coincidence that I have yet to follow through on doing a non-Disney marathon...because that's what is keeping me going right now, getting that Mickey medal and running through the parks!

I really like the Princess medals and agree with you on the half marathon one. I think it's just perfect for a Belle centered race. I'm also not a big tiara fan, so maybe that's also why I like it. That Mrs. Potts and Chip 5K though!! LOVE!!!! Wishing I was running the race just for that medal!

I think you and I are among a select few who do not like tiaras! I'm really looking forward to seeing these medals in person in January!

Chip and Mrs. Potts is perfection!

I think it's really important that you're running the marathon. Since the whole sciatica issue started, you've been working hard to reach certain milestones. You've already run your first half since the injury, which means its time to step up to another milestone - a marathon. I'm guessing that you wouldn't have enjoyed a local marathon as much as you'll enjoy Disney, so basically, your options for hitting this milestone were either now or next January, which is really far away.

That is true...it does seem like the next logical step.

I've signed up for local marathons...3 times I think (definitely at least twice) and each time I have ended up transferring down to the half, so yeah - at this point if I am going to run 26.2, freaking Mickey needs to be there!

Yes, December training can be really hard. But do you really want to sit here and wonder if this one injury has stopped your marathon-running ability? Or do you want to go back to this marathon that you've enjoyed in the past and prove to yourself that you've (mostly) recovered from the injury and you're once again capable of running those same distances that you ran before the injury? I'd say the answer is pretty obvious.

You are full of truth bombs/real talk, and I love it. Yes, the answer is obvious. Maybe Saturday was my rock-bottom point of training and things are only going up from there?

I definitely understand the feeling of burnout (especially because I'm currently in the middle of my own December slump), but I do think that Dopey was a good decision for you. Physically, you're probably mostly ready. All you have to do is somehow make it through the next few weeks, and then it'll be time for you to rock Dopey!

Yes! Really - I feel like if I can make it through THIS WEEK, I'll be to taper and hopefully I'll be good to go.

Also ... those Princess medals are perfect (although I wish they could have done something with the rose on the half to make it look like it was inside the glass dome thingy). I was actually thinking of trying to find a way to do it ... except that I'm possibly going to be out of the country the week before, and I don't know that I'd be feeling up to going down to Florida right after I get home. So now I just get to be super jealous of the awesome people like you who are going to earn those medals.

Yeah, Super curious to see the half medal in person! It is just so different from all of the other princess medals they have done!

That would be a lot of travel, especially after traveling internationally (awesome that you are doing that, by the way!).

I'm sorry that you're feeling burnt out. I know it's a lot easier said than done, but just take things one day at a time, while always thinking about your ultimate awesome Dopey goal. You are going to do great.

I know that you are right about taking things one day at a time...I have been really good about that until the past couple of weeks! I think the weather is really throwing me for a loop and is freaking me out.

Congrats on booking your Tink flights. That's always exciting, and makes an upcoming trip seem more real!

Woohoo!! It totally does!!

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Princess medals. Beauty and the Beast is my very favorite Disney movie (and it may be my favorite movie in general too!), so I'm drooling over them! I usually never think about doing a race just for the medals, but those B/B would be the exception for me! Really wish I was running it!

There are TA bibs floating around...you' d have to get hotel and tickets through them, though.

Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney Princess movie, but BaTB is a close second (along with Tangled and Princess and the Frog) so I'm happy with the medals!

Another yay for Tink flights! I would love to run Tink at some point. Would stay at the beach and drive in for the race. Prefer Tink theme over Princess and I really enjoy DL courses, even though they contain out-of-park road time. Never works with the kids' school schedules - but someday!

I think I'll enjoy the Tink half now that I know to expect the out-of-park time - it really threw me during the Disneyland Half because I was dumb and didn't research the course! The 10K courses at Disneyland are perfect though!!

Also sorry to hear you are struggling a bit mentally, but I am sure you are still going to have a great Dopey experience! I am sooo in love with those Princess medals, and I think the Half one is the absolute best-so original!!!

Thanks, I appreciate that! Totally agree about the Princess Half medal!!

I take Uber from SNA and it's SO EASY. And fast. And cheap! I've paid $10 and $12 dollars and am at my hotel in like 10-15 minutes. THE BEST. I haven't bought plane tickets yet, but maybe I can time it out right and was can ride together!

So - I have never taken an Uber before. It freaks me out. Why does Uber make me nervous but taking a taxi does not??

I'm in the same place mentally, and it really sucks. I've had to ramp back a little bit because of running on the Hamster Wheel and I'm getting some butt pain (Piriformis, I'm guessing ...) and it's just. so. frustrating.

The butt pain sucks. I have been there.

The thing that's keeping me focused is that this is a goal that I REALLY need to achieve as a "reward" for not giving up after a year of being hurt and missing out on two major races I was so excited to get in to run. And I've done it before, so I'm not going in to it completely blind - but the Marathon is definitely going to be more about "survival" than "success" at this point. And I'm fine with that - I still will earn all that bling, will have all the fun shirts and will be in DISNEY WORLD with my favorite people on the planet (you included, obviously!) ... as long as I keep that in mind, I can get myself through a workout when I don't really want to.

If this was my first Dopey, I would be FREAKING OUT right now, I think. I think I am nervous because I had this oddly perfect Dopey experience in 2015 and I afraid that 2017 will not live up to that.

You equating Dopey as being "a 'reward' for now giving up after a year of being hurt" definitely strikes a chord. I know I will hate myself if I phone it in now.

I've now watched this video like 10 times. I just met you and I love you.

It's an amazing video.

I love, love, love SNA!!!! I think it's my favorite airport of all time. We fly into the the L.A. area at least once a year and sometimes twice. Growing up, I'd always fly into SNA with my family but as I became responsible for flight costs, I started trying to save $$ and flew into LAX. Then kids, so for the past almost-18 years, I've been trying to get direct flights - which means LAX. But I really dislike LAX and I'm done. Kids are more than old enough to deal with a flight that's not non-stop and the extra $ we save flying into LAX is absolutely not worth it. SNA is calm, peaceful, clean, beautiful and it's SO easy to get to either Newport Beach/Balboa Island or DL from there. Completely agree with Keels - Uber (or cab) is the way to go.

Okay, good to hear! I didn't think LAX was that bad, but it WAS just me there...it certainly wasn't a beautiful airport.

 

[girliea]

Yeah!! Hope you love it! I ended up *gasp* cutting the built-in bra out of mine! Just did not work for me!

Funny that you would say that, I've never really liked any of the built in bras in the camis. Did you just do that for Bandit?

 

[Ariel484]

Funny that you would say that, I've never really liked any of the built in bras in the camis. Did you just do that for Bandit?

I did that for all 4 camis that I have (which - I could have traded one for an awesome shirt so now I sort of regret it). Very carefully and slowly with a sharp pair of scissors.

 

[dis_or_dat]

I struggle with burn out near the end of training too. But I can definitely see it with the high mileage you need to get ready for Dopey and the crummy weather. Part of me wants to tell you to maybe take a day or 2 off or easy, but then again, when I was on the verge of major burn out - I pushed myself to complete the runs and I'm glad I did. I think going from one race to another to another to ... 48.6 miles is a lot, so no wonder you have mental fatigue!

Here's a picture of my little one. I got her from the shelter too - poor thing was returned 3 times before I became her forever home:

And here's some pictures of my big guy as a puppy:

 

[girliea]

I did that for all 4 camis that I have (which - I could have traded one for an awesome shirt so now I sort of regret it). Very carefully and slowly with a sharp pair of scissors.

Well, ya know a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! But yeah- it would be a permanent decision....and definitely slowly with sharp scissors!

@dis_or_dat What precious fur babies you have!