i want adventure in the great wide somewhere - running journal! (comments welcome)

[jmasgat]

If you want another unicorn sticker and/or a pin, you are welcome to mine.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Great recap! Such a memorable experience for so many reasons!

 

[xjillianpaige]

What a great recap! Congrats!

Thank you!

If you want another unicorn sticker and/or a pin, you are welcome to mine.View attachment 857644

I might take you up on this! I didn't get a pin and like the ones I have from my volunteer years.

Great recap! Such a memorable experience for so many reasons!

Thank you!

 

[xjillianpaige]

Boston Marathon Race Recap
Part 4: Post-Race​

It's been a minute. Not dead, just took a full month off of running and haven't been as active here and work is busy and and and. Anyway, wanted to end this with the post-race and some reflections now that we're at 6 weeks post-Boston.

Post-Race​

After crossing the finish line (after running all 100 miles of Boylston Street - seriously, it is so far from the Hereford turn to the finish), I started just walking forward. In classic me fashion, I cried the entire time. Last year they ran out of medals, so one person was panicked when the medals weren't right at the finish line. It's a short walk, but you do have to keep walking to get everything, and the volunteer reassured her that we just had to keep moving and we'd get our medal.

A lovely older woman gave me mine and I got a blanket and just kept going. My club gets a hotel room right at the finish so I just had to get there. I texted our President and she gave me the room number. It was easy to find. Just walk to the end of the road until you reach the barriers and take a right. While I was walking to the hotel I ran into one of the girls who works at my camp. She was a sweet surprise.

I got into the hotel and went to our floor and there was a poster on our door. Before I could open it, Kristin was welcoming me in and I called out for a beer. In no time flat, I had my ice coffee in one hand and an ice cold Corona with lime in the other.

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Sorry for the photo quality here, it's a screenshot of an Instagram story. I need to ask Kristin to send me the original since it's so good.

I was the last to arrive, so I waited my turn for the shower. My parents and friends were walking back to their car and then my parents would pick me up at the hotel. The others were going to take an uber which sounded like a nightmare. And a few others got picked up by their families.

Anyway, I got my shower and when I came out it was just me and Kayla left. So I cleaned up the last of my stuff, got changed, and my parents picked me up outside. It was super easy for them to grab me - I was worried it would be chaos so close to the finish line. I also had told people there wasn't room in my car because I expected it to be my parents, brother, and Jenna, but my brother got a ride back home with Bridget and Eric. So I could have taken one more person but oh well.

We drove to a Mexican restaurant back in the suburbs and I had no real appetite so I just got a margarita. I'm never hungry after a marathon. But everyone else needed a meal and that's where my club celebrates, so I got to see all the volunteers and hug them again and we took some group photos. My family ate and everyone got to meet my family. My brother ended up joining us for food and Bridget came just to say hi. It was nice.

Fast forward to the next day, I had gotten tickets to the Red Sox for my family ages ago and when I got in the car after the marathon I turned to my mom and said "Can I un-invite Jared to the Red Sox game and Jenna can come instead?" Turns out when Jenna plotted her surprise, my mom told her that she could come. Jared had work that night anyway and would have had to leave early.

So I took the one and only glamour shot of the weekend at Fenway Park. The "mile 27 post-race party" had been here the year before, but I wanted to go to my club celebration, and this year the mile 27 party was at City Ball plaza which is lame, but I really wanted to celebrate in my gear at Fenway Park.

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Reflections​

So... six weeks later do I have any regrets about stopping for hugs? Not even a tiny little bit. Could I have had a better time? Sure. I think if I had skipped stopping to see every person I could have been either close to my Chicago time or better. But here's the thing... I might never run Boston again. I don't know. On race day, my thought was that this was possibly my last marathon ever. Immediately after crossing the finish line I was contemplating a fall marathon. I have more in me and the Boston experience was so incredible that I want another one. One day, I'll be working in a different job and be in a different place in life and marathon training will be part of the plan. But right now I'm taking a well-deserved break. One year of no marathons. Half marathon and below only. And then, who knows? I'd love to run London, Boston again, and I'd consider another Chicago, too. I have a lot to prove to myself, still.

My next post will be some favorite photos from the professional photographers. I got 192 photos and liked enough of them that it was worth buying for $100 instead of waiting.

Then the post after that will be the last two weeks of running.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Boston Marathon Race Recap
Part 5: Professional Photos​

This is literally just professional photos from Boston. That's all. And then we're onto the next!

The iconic CITGO sign. I read on a Facebook group that the way to get the best photos of the sign in the background was to look at the cameras to the right.


This is Hereford Street.


The turn from Hereford onto Boylston. I saw my friend Joanna at the turn and they captured this photo.


Running down Boylston. I think I look cool here.


The finish line!


This is somewhere on Comm. Ave after Kenmore.​

 

[Naomeri]

You really got some great pictures!!

 

[xjillianpaige]

You really got some great pictures!!

Thank you! After terrible photos in Chicago I was determined for this to go well.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal​

It's been long enough. It's time to recap the few runs I've been on. I'm not quite training for this yet, but I think I need to start soon. I might sign up for a fall half that I race, but right now the only things on my schedule are a 1 mile race next weekend and the Two Course Challenge this fall.

So let's dive in.

May 14: 3.00 miles • 33:43 • 11:14 avg pace
My return to the Tuesday night crew. I love a good progressive run and this was one of them. 11:41, 11:14, 10:47.

May 18: 3.00 miles • 33:20 • 11:06 avg pace
A Saturday morning easy 3. Again progressive and even faster than Tuesday. 11:26, 11:04, 10:48.

May 19: 3.07 miles • 32:33 • 10:36 avg pace
I decided to check out another running group. They're not an official club or anything, just a group that has meet ups all over the country. We met at a coffee shop in Newton and it was rainy, so just 3 of us. One of the women lives nearby so she led us on the route. We took the second turn and BOOM. Surprise! It's the Johnny Kelly statue. We were at mile 19 of the marathon course and right smack dab in the middle of the Newton Hills. What a fun site to see. And we were CRUISING. I had said I was about an 11-minute runner and I thought we were around that but I'm finally looking at splits and it was 10:57, 10:28, 10:26. Ended up speeding up on those hills, too.

May 25: 5.00 miles • 59:10 • 11:50 avg pace
I went to the group run after not running all week (had some fun life stuff like going to a PWHL playoff game). Andrea was doing a walk:run for 5 miles so I decided to jump on that with her. She's got a bit of an injury/pain so she led the pace and walk breaks. It was nice to get 5 miles done! Longest run since Boston. I also felt like we were running faster than high 11s, but it was warm so a hard-ish effort feeling that would normally be faster was actually not so fast.

May 28: 3.01 miles • 34:53 • 11:36 avg pace
Tuesday night! I forgot how rough summer running is. It was warm. Made it through though. Went out a little fast and slowed down for the last 2 miles.

June 1: 3.17 miles • 35:37 • 11:13 avg pace
Another warm morning run. First mile was a reasonable 11:38, the second was an unreasonable 11:00, and the last was back to a more reasonable 11:11. Followed up by Starbucks and hours and hours in the pool.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal Week 1​

We're officially training! I feel like I'm starting from zero, to be honest. But I'm getting it done. No pressure of training for time and flying solo right now - no coach. Although she did say if I need anything or have questions or want to use old workouts then she's here for that.

June 8
Today was my annual one mile on the track race! I did a warm up of 1.00 miles in 11:31 and then headed over to the hand off point. My friend Kristin was handing the baton to me. I did this mile in 8:51. Not my best, not my worst. Coach texted me the next day asking if I would ever train for a mile race and really go for it. I would for sure.

June 22: 3.01 miles • 33:28 • 11:08 avg pace
This was a Saturday morning group run. I honestly don't remember who I ran with or if we did ratios or anything. I just went out to get something done. I want to say it was continuous, swampy running.

June 25: 3.00 miles • 35:15 • 11:44 avg pace
Another one where I really don't have much recollection of the run. I slowed down a lot at the end, I do know that. Probably because it's been so dang hot.

June 29: 5.08 miles • 1:06:40 • 13:07 avg pace
An impromptu 5 mile run! I went to the group run and was down for whatever, so someone said she was doing a run/walk and I said I would do it with her so she didn't have to go solo. I thought she was doing 3 miles, but she actually had 5 so when I realized that she was going to head off to the 5 mile route, I decided there and then to join her for it.

July 2: 3.00 miles • 37:10 • 12:22 avg pace
The first official run of wine & dine training. I did a 5:1 run/walk ratio solo after work (then joined the girls for dinner - duh). It was warm but I felt pretty good once I got warmed up. It was a nice progression run (12:41, 12:22, 12:06) so I'm happy with this start. My dad also did a 30 minute run and was in the 2 mile range for distance and around a 14-ish pace.

July 4: 3.00 miles • 34:07 • 11:22 avg pace
I went to the Thursday group run in the morning since work was closed and I could. It was nice, did the 5:1 with Andrea so was much speedier than when I went solo on Tuesday. It was also way less hot and a little rainy (in the mid 60s versus Tuesday's 80 degree temps). My dad did 30 minutes again and mileage was 2 and change.

July 6: 3.01 miles • 38:00 • 12:38 avg pace
Soupy!!! I went to the group run this morning and it was 75 with a dew point in the 70s. I should have brought floaties since we were swimming. I ran with Casey and she wanted 3 so I was down to just do 3 instead of 5. The plan starts at 3, so even though I could have done 5 if no one else was running 3, I was happy Casey kept me on the plan. Anyway, week 1 in the books. Dad did 2 miles today even with his friend Kristin. They pushed her grandson. Kristin has done a few Disney races before, including the marathon.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal Week 2​

Week 2 and I'm remembering why I hate summer training. I swear it's been over 90 every day.

July 9: 3.00 miles • 36:11 • 12:04 avg pace
I've been sticking with the 5:1 ratio and it's been working for me. I did this after work again in the heat and then met the girls for dinner. My motivation is not super high, and I'm so tired from work and the long, hot days that I'd rather go easy at my own slower pace with walk breaks than push a little bit with a group. I also like showering before dinner instead of at 10:00 and going to bed late because of it.

July 11: 3.22 miles • 37:35 • 11:41 avg pace
This was a different group for me. We ran in Boston at 7:15 so I had dinner after work and then drove to meet them. I was early so I sat in my car in the air conditioning until they arrived. I quickly figured out that this group is much faster than me, so I hung with them for a short time, then one of them stayed back with me until I told her I was going to walk and I'd see them at the end. They had explained the route and I knew the area so would be fine solo. I ran continuous for the first 1.75 or so, then switched to 5:1. My splits were 11:13, 10:47, and 12:47 so clearly they pushed me early on. I skipped post-run pizza so I could get home and shower and go to sleep at a decent hour.

July 14: 4.01 miles • 56:54 • 14:12 avg pace
I slept in Saturday since the forecast called for storms and I needed the sleep. Ran today instead. I had 4 miles and my dad has 3 since it's the beginner plan for him. I went out with him and we did his run/walk pace. He ended up doing 4 with me. It was warm but we got it done when it was only 70 a 7 am instead of 90 later on today.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal​

Before I talk about the very little running I've done since Week 2, let's talk about the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. I'm in the Results Book for the Boston Marathon! And I don't just mean my name and time.

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That's me! In the book! My photo! Hugging my friend April at the Mile 22 stop. I was at Harpoon Brewery in the Boston Seaport before a Noah Kahan concert at Fenway when I saw that the results book had been published. I started scrolling quickly to see the photos and all of a sudden - me! This is the coolest thing ever. I'm always looking to see if photos of me from races show up in anything and this time it did! So cool.

Okay, the running I haven't done in preparation for wine & dine.

July 16: 3.01 miles • 35:13 • 11:43 avg pace
Due to the heat, we cancelled a day of work, so I went for a morning run before having to be in the office. It was hot but not as terrible as it would get by the end of the day. I did a 5:1 with Heather, then got my coffee to go and hit up the office.

August 3: 5.01 miles • 1:11:17 • 14:14 avg pace
My dad is training for Wine & Dine so I joined him for a 5 mile long run. We did some 2:1 ratios, some 1:1 ratios, some 2:2 ratios, and some whatever happens happens type of ratios. Overall a great pace and fun to be out there with pops. Warm and humid, but with the pace it wasn't too bad.

Three more weeks of work and then my hope is to be more on track. I'm doing a little traveling at the end of August and will bring running gear with me.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal​

Where has Jillian been?

Not running but I did run yesterday. I’ll give you an update when I get home.

Oh did I not mention where I went for my most recent run?

​

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal​

This will be part training journal and part mini trip report since I just got back from Disney yesterday! It was a great trip and I can't recommend a short no-parks solo trip more. It was the best 3 days ever.

But first, running.

August 11: 6.50 miles • 1:31:29 • 14:04 avg pace
I went out with my dad for 6.5 miles. We did it at the lake by my house. It was pretty warm and his stomach was bothering him so we started with a 2:1 run:walk ratio and then reversed it to make it easier. Our first 3 miles were faster than our last 3.5 but that's okay and we talked about how we can go out easier so that at the end we're feeling okay and like we could go a little further the next time. It was a nice morning together.

August 27: 3.00 miles • 37:19 • 12:26 avg pace
So... then I didn't run again until this week. I posted that little sneak peak yesterday from my 3 miles around the Port Orleans resorts. I think I got out there around 7:30 am and it was already very hot (and would only get hotter). I did a 5:1 run:walk ratio and my three miles were 12:31, 12:09, and 12:38. My hotel was French Quarter, so I left my room and ran along the river to Riverside where I looped around that side a few times, then I ran back to French Quarter and looped a little there to get to 3. Felt good considering I am horribly out of shape and the Florida summer was... well, what it is.

August 29: 3.00 miles • 34:58 • 11:39 avg pace
Back home! I ran with the girls for the first time in ages. I ran the first 11 minutes straight then resumed my 5:1 ratio with Heather. It was much cooler than Tuesday since New England is what it is and we're heading toward autumn.

Now for the trip report! I did a solo trip since we have our annual summer shut down week this week. I flew down on Sunday and came home on Wednesday. Here's the day by day report (hopefully all in one post).

Trip Report​

I flew down mid afternoon and landed around dinner time. My flight was uneventful and I read the whole time. Once landing, I had to wait a little bit for the Mears Shuttle, but the good news is I was the first to be dropped off at Port Orleans French Quarter. It was after 5 at this point, so my room was ready and I went right there. I was in building 5 facing the courtyard, but the location was perfect. I was right by the pool and the main building so I could get everything I needed very easily.

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My first order of business was dinner! The Scat Cat Lounge has some apps and drinks and live music on the weekend, so I got there around 7:15 and grabbed a table along the windows facing the stage. I started with a Hurricane (Bayou Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Orange, Pineapple, and Lime Juices with Grenadine and a float of Myers's Dark Rum) and was IDed twice. Once when I ordered at the bar and again when my drink was brought to me at my table.

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For dinner I got the Gumbo Poutine (French Fries loaded with Gumbo, Cheese Curds, and Cheese Sauce) which was DELICIOUS. I didn't know if I would like it but took a chance, and my server said it was good, and she was so right. I ate a solid 95% of it.

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The musicians were SO good. They called themselves jazz fusion and mostly played hits with a jazz twist on them, plus a few Disney favorites. Please please please, if you find yourself in the Disney area on a weekend, check the jazz night out. They play starting at 7:30 for about a half hour, then take a break, then another half hour, etc. I got one more drink, the Whiskey Breeze (Old Forester Bourbon, Cointreau Liqueur, and Lemon Juice with flavors of Guava and Mango). It was sweet and tasty and the perfect way to end the first "day." Once the band took their second break, it was about 9:00 and I was ready to call it a night and went back to my room.

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The next morning I woke up around 8 and went to Sassagoula's for breakfast. I got Mickey waffles, bacon, and tater tots. It was, as always, the perfect breakfast. Then I went to my room and got my water bottle to fill with water, my kindle, and a hat so I could sit by the pool for the morning.

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I was probably out at the pool right around when it opened at 10, maybe 10:15, and found a seat that would soon be in the shade, right by the pool. I did some reading, dipped in the pool, then back to reading. Around 11, a girl who was sitting a seat over asked if I was a solo traveler. When I said I was, she asked if she could buy me a drink! It was her birthday weekend and she also did a solo trip (but had some visitors throughout the weekend) and said that so many people bought her drinks, she wanted to find another woman traveling solo and buy her a drink. So I had a strawberry margarita on the rocks from Mardi Grogs and we ended up chatting until the afternoon storm began to roll in and they closed the pool down for a few hours.

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We both took that as a sign to go (her to home and me back to my room to get ready to go to Springs) and headed our separate ways. The people you meet on vacation, right?

I changed and went to see if the boats were operating, even with some weather in the area. They were not, so I went out to the buses and hopped on a Disney Springs bus. Before I knew it, I had been dropped off and started shopping. I poked through some stores and bought a new sweatshirt, some pins, a 26.2 bracelet from Little Words Project, and a necklace from Kendra Scott to match my birthstone earrings.

I will leave you there because I'm at the photo limit! Next post coming immediately with dinner, a recap of the drone show, and another day of vacation!

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal

Trip Report Part 2​

All of my spending worked up an appetite, so I decided to get a poke bowl. I did a ton of walking before I decided on it since I was craving raw fish but didn't want to do a sit down sushi restaurant. Poke it is! I love a poke bowl!

So I got to the YeSake kiosk and got a tuna poke bowl with sushi rice, carrots, avocado, red onion, tempura crunch, cucumber, sweet teriyaki sauce and a spicy mayo on the side. I also got the Violet Sake which I did not get IDed for so maybe it's not alcoholic? I didn't look that closely, to be honest. Or they just didn't ID me. Either way it was very good and hit the spot. I also chatted with my mom for a bit, then did some more shopping.

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I definitely got to Springs much earlier than I needed to, because now I had to kill time as I waited for the drone show. My plan was to get there at 8:30 for the 9:00 show, but then a CM told me that people line up at 7:30, so I got my butt over there at 7:30 and waited 90 minutes for a 10 minute show.

It was worth the wait. I got chills and filmed nearly all 10 minutes. My one complaint is that they need seating. Standing there for almost 2 hours was a lot, and I'm pretty able-bodied. I would imagine the standing and waiting could make this difficult for some folks.

After the show, I walked back to the buses and it was busy, so I had to wait for a second bus to get me. Luckily I was toward the front and got a seat. When I got back to French Quarter I decided to try the boozy beignets, a.k.a. Baton Rouge Beignets, which are two beignets, "jazzed up" with your choice of Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur, Kahlua Liqueur, or RumChata Liqueur. I went with Kahlua. This is something that is probably best shared. It's a lot for one person, basically two shots, and they leave it up to you to do the infusion. I did the whole shot into the first beignet and it was too much, so then I dipped the second beignet into what was already on the plate. Or I just need to not infuse all of it at once. I'm not sure. Either way, it wasn't a total hit for me this time.

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I then went back to my room because the next morning was my run! My alarm went off at 6:30 and I managed to get out of bed and on my run (as you saw in the last post). Afterwards, I went back to my room and showered and was hoping to get an early bus or boat to Disney Springs so I could get Gideons, but the buses and boats to Springs don't start running until 10! They need to start running those 15 minutes early. I was worried I'd have a bad queue to deal with at Gideons because the worker said people start to line up at 8:45 when parking opens.

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With all the extra time, I got a Mickey shaped cinnamon roll and tots for breakfast. The cinnamon roll was a bit dry - not the best one on property. Gaston's is infinitely better. But this did what I needed it to do.

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From there I went to the boats and was on the boat at 10:00 am on the dot. And then we sat until 10:10 and THEN we went to Springs. I am used to boats departing at very precise times, so I was a little annoyed that I was delayed again. When all was said and done, I finally got to Springs at 10:45 or so and then took he hike all the way to Gideons. The line wasn't bad, no virtual queue, so I hopped right in and from line to check out it was about 20 minutes. And out I walked with 3 chocolate chip (one each for Jenna and Eric, one for me), the Key Lime chocolate chip for my dad, the limited edition, early morning only cinnamon roll cookie, and a cookies and cream cookie.

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Next up was Starbucks to go and a boat ride back to the resort. I had a pool to sit next to and a book to read!

And read was what I did. I got to the pool a little before noon, so more of the seats were taken and I had to sit in the sun, not far from where I had been the day before. I would read for a few minutes, then get in the pool to cool down, then get out and ready, then back in the pool. Rinse and repeat over and over. I did get another strawberry margarita on the rocks to kick start the day.

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While I was in and out I met a few other women and chatted with them. I tend to get life stories from people. Both were lovely. Oh, by the way, the book I was reading was called Daisy Darker and it was EXCELLENT. I finished it on the plane the next day.

Also while sitting by the pool, it occurred to me to see if there was a dining reservation at Beaches and Cream. I haven't eaten there in years and it's one of my favorites. I checked the app and there was an 8:00 reservation, but that was too late, so I refreshed it and bam! A 6:00 reservation. I snagged it and figured I would sit by the pool until I had to go change at 3.

Once again, a storm rolled in (or at least close enough that they closed the pool and deck), so I gathered my things around 2:30 and went to my room for a second shower and to get ready for dinner. I was excited not just for the meal, but also for the travel to get there!

I took a bus to Hollywood Studios, then immediately turned around and got on the Skyliner. My favorite mode of transportation on property.

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Once I got to Epcot, I took the long way around the Boardwalk since I was early. They say to give yourself 1.5 hours to get places, but an hour would have been plenty.

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Okay okay okay! One more post!

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal

Trip Report Part 3​

Last Post! Honest! But hey - at least I got it all done in one night. Vacation is fun.

So... I arrived at the Epcot end of the skyliner and began my walk around the Boardwalk, poking along as I had time to kill. I got to the Beach Club side and meandered along to Beaches and Cream. I love this resort so much. The 90s Cape Cod aesthetic really speaks to me.

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I was sitting outside Beaches and Cream by 5:30 and was able to check in online at 5:40. Looking back, I could have checked in early at the counter, but I didn't mind people watching while I waited. I waited about another 10 minutes before I was called up to the counter and I was inside at my table by 6:00. I already knew what I was getting: lemonade, tomato soup and grilled cheese, and the No Way Jose. You've all seen the post of me and my many ice creams.

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I have to say, I did pretty well. Ate the whole grilled cheese, half of the soup, and most of the sundae! I was determined. On the way out, I FaceTime with my mom and niece because the last family trip was in 2020 and Miss M was 4 and that's where they stayed. She allegedly, vaguely remembers the pool.

I then made my way back the way I came in. Walked to the skyliner and took that to Hollywood Studios, where I caught a bus back to French Quarter.

I didn't know quite what to do with myself, but there was a movie under the stars on the courtyard next to my room, so I went out and watched Teen Beach Movie before bed.

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One more sleep and then time to go!

I woke up Wednesday morning and truly contemplated staying another night. The rooms on both sides of me were empty! But in the end I went home. But first - beignets. Breakfast was the 3 classic beignets, plus I picked up a cinnamon sugar specialty beignet because I figured that would travel the best back with me to home for my parents to try (their review - they each ate an ear and loved it). I also got it with the salted caramel dipping sauce which was good, but you don't need a ton of it because the beignets are sweet enough with all the powdered sugar. I did manage to eat 95% of them though!

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I then went back to pack and had to be outside for my Mears shuttle at 10:40. I was out there 15 minutes before at 10:25 and was picked up at 10:30. We had one more pick up after me and then to the airport to kill time. Mears really needs a TSA pre-check time frame for those of us who don't need to be there 2 hours early.

And now I'm home and counting down the days until my next trip. This was the PERFECT vacation. I loved being a solo lady, felt super safe the whole time, and got to do everything I felt like doing just because it's what I wanted! No one to tell me no or to get opinions from. And no parks made it so RELAXING. I truly came back feeling so rejuvenated and HAPPY. I was worried that 3 nights would be too many and decided it's not enough. While it will be more expensive to go longer, I know that I can fill the time with runs, reading, the pool, food, and out-of-park experiences. There's so much that Disney offers that I never get to try because I'm opening and closing the parks or running a trillion miles. Honestly, I was even getting sick of Disney but now I can see myself going there for a different type of trip.

100/10 highly recommend.

 

[nancipants]

Looks like you had an amazing time!

Have you ever done a Disney cruise? The parts you loved about a non-parks trip are exactly what I love about DCL.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Looks like you had an amazing time!

Have you ever done a Disney cruise? The parts you loved about a non-parks trip are exactly what I love about DCL.

It's funny - a woman I met at the pool mentioned the cruises! She and her husband go on them all the time. A Disney Cruise is on my "to do" list but I would do the shortest one because I don't actually think I'd like being on a cruise for too long. I did a cruise as a teenager with my family and had the best time, but as an adult they don't quite pique my interest. One day, though! I looked into doing one for this trip but the dates didn't work for me.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal Week ?​

Listen... it's gonna get done. Here's what's been up the last 8-ish weeks.

August 11: 6.50 miles • 1:31:29 • 14:04 avg pace
Dad and I ran the lake near me for this one. It looks like we started faster and ended slower. If I recall correctly, he wasn't feeling great, so we decided to take the second half slower, switching from a 2:1 ratio to a 1:2 ratio.

August 27: 3.00 miles • 37:19 • 12:26 avg pace
This was my run at Disney! Not bad considering the heat and humidity of Florida in August. Lots of loops through the resort with a 5:1 ratio.

August 29: 3.00 miles • 34:58 • 11:39 avg pace
Back with the girls on Thursday morning! Continued with the 5:1 ratio and Heather joined me.

September 3: 3.20 miles • 38:24 • 11:59 avg pace
A nice easy solo run with a 5:1 ratio. I just looked and my heart rate stayed easy and I was on point with the 5:1. When it's been a month you don't remember much about it.

September 5: 4.03 miles • 46:4 miles • 11:32 avg pace
Thursday morning with the girls. Decided to do one more since I was running with Heather and doing 5:1 again and was feeling good.

September 7: 5.01 miles • 58:58 • 11:46 avg pace
Group run day! Ratios. Not sure who I ran with. Don't remember much about it. This is a fascinating journal, huh?

September 10: 3.01 miles • 36:24 • 12:06 avg pace
A continuous running day! I believe I ran with Casey and knew that if I had the right running partner who was well matched with my pace I could do it. We had a lovely run and chat and my HR was in the green the vast majority of the run.

September 12: 3.12 miles • 36:27 • 11:41 avg pace
I met up with NJR and ran at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Two laps is an exact 5k. I ran with a girl named Julietta and then a bunch of us went to dinner after. They were surprised that I brought both a change of clothes and dude wipes to clean up a bit. I'm just used to night runs followed by dinner requiring a little bit of clean up. This group is fun, but I was able to find someone well-paced with me.

September 14: 6.04 miles • 1:30:59: 15:04 avg pace
Ran with Dad again. Again we start fast and slow down, so I'm trying to help him understand the value and purpose of having a very clear and set ratio to follow to help with pacing. One day he'll listen to his daughter who has been running for 7 years.

September 24: 3.01 miles • 35:14 • 11:42 avg pace
Another Tuesday with Casey for a nice easy continuous run before dinner. Nothing to report.

September 28: 6.00 miles • 1:10:14 • 11:42 avg pace
Ran this with Toshie! We did the 5 loop and then added on an extra mile. Continuous running, too. It was nice to run with a friend for a long run.

October 3: 3.00 miles • 33:20 • 11:06 avg pace
This was SPEEDY. I ran with Pam for 2 miles then did one more alone. Our first mile was 10:52 which was very fast. It's been awhile since I've had this speed and felt good while doing it. Not as easy as I should be running but it still felt nice.

October 5: 8.01 miles • 1:41:43 • 12:42 avg pace
Did this with Toshie! Did lots of walking toward the end. My endurance is not where it should be but it's where it is. I'll be spending 2025 rebuilding this. I already have a plan (BAA Distance Medley).

October 10: 3.00 miles • 34:30 • 11:30 avg pace
Thursday morning and I need you to see these splits: 11:30, 11:29, 11:30. Metronome!

October 12: 9.50 miles • 2:10:52 • 13:46 avg pace
Ran with Jenna and Eric. Did I mention that Jenna moved home and we can run together again? I wanted 10 but we decided to do 9.5 since Jenna wanted 9. Right in the middle. 1:1 ratio. And my shoes gave me a blister above the heel of my foot! Not sure why. Same socks as always and I wore these sneakers for Boston with only a little issue - and I don't think it was that spot. I guess I need new shoes. (I don't.)

 

[xjillianpaige]

Wine & Dine Training Journal Week Almost Done​

I just ordered an ice cream sundae for delivery and I'm really hoping that this place, which is known for delivering ice cream, is as good as they claim. Maybe I'll have my ice cream by the time I finish typing this and I can let you know.

October 15: 3.00 miles • 36:12 • 12:03 avg pace
I had a meeting near the rail trail on Tuesday so I took advantage of the daylight hours and ran after the meeting at 1:00 before going home to finish working from home. Just did a 1.5 out and back for 3 total I think I ran for .75 then walked for .10. Rinse and repeat.

October 17: 3.01 miles 34:20 • 11:26 avg pace
Thursday morning continuous running. Nothing I can remember to report on.

October 19: 6.63 miles • 1:24:46 • 12:47 avg pace
Jenna and I ran The Devil's Chase in Salem, MA. It's supposed to be 6.66 miles but the course was a hair short. If they had started us back just a few feet then it'd be fine. The companion race is the Creepy Clown 3.33 mile race. Jenna set the pace with a 1:1 ratio. The course is pretty hilly, with a nice incline right at the start. The first loop took us down into Salem Common where they were setting up for the day's festivities. Lots of vendors and food stalls. Then we turned to run back to Salem Willows but we turned off to run through some neighborhoods and Winter Island. Then we looped back to where we started and back up that hill, turning earlier to go back up into the Willows and to the finish line. We didn't stay long and headed home. Salem during October is very crowded so we got out of there fast so we could shower, change, and meet up with some friends for lunch and drinks.

​

October 22: 3.03 miles • 34:27 • 11:22 avg pace
This was sort of a funny run. It was with the Tuesday night group and leading up to this run I had been trying to coordinate with a few folks to try to buy post race party tickets from the FB group. I had two people who had verbally committed to selling them to me and we would do the exchange when home from work. Well, as I'm driving home, a girl from my club messages me because she saw my posts on the FB group and was selling tickets! Perfect! So I cancelled on those two women and bought from her. Well... her house is on the 3 mile route we take on Tuesday nights, so I stopped and got them during the run! Worked out really well for us.

October 24: 3.01 miles • 34:01 • 11:19 avg pace
So I forgot my watch this morning. Left it at my parents house the night before and didn't have it on me. So I used RunKeeper in my pocket and that's gotta be close enough. It was a little misty on the drive over to the Thursday group and I almost turned around but the morning ended up being nice. More humid than I expected. Quick coffee and then off to work. Then I was back with the same girls for a Halloween Party where I dressed up as Taylor Swift and Coachella. Basically just a black dress, black jacket, and green New Heights hat.

Okay... the ice cream is 5 minutes away. I'm leaving this window open and preparing for it's arrival so I will report back in just a moment.

IT WAS SO GOOD! Like they had just scooped it.

 

[jmasgat]

Enquiring minds want to know……where from and what flavor?