Hey, guys!
Later this week I’ll be off to Disney (yeah…again…) for the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, where I’ll be taking on the Glass Slipper Challenge: running the inaugural Enchanted 10K on Saturday, and the half marathon on Saturday.
And, hopefully, I’ll be headed home with these little beauties right here.
I’m going to try to post some full costume photos before I leave, but in the meantime, here’s a little preview!
My sister and I will be running the 10K together — it’s her first 10K! — as two of our new favorite princesses. Since I’m kind of totally OBSESSED with Frozen and I may or may not have the entire soundtrack memorized because it’s all I run to these days…
As for the half marathon, I ran as Ariel last year. The Little Mermaid has been my favorite movie since I was, oh, three years old, and I may or may not have an Ariel shower curtain in my bathroom today, as a 28-year-old woman.
This year, I’ll be going as my second favorite princess. A little hint for you…
The 10K costumes are completely homemade by my sister. I have to give her a shout-out, because she basically taught herself how to use our grandmother’s old sewing machine and the finished products are entirely her “vision.” I think they’re looking pretty awesome!
My half marathon costume is store-bought with a few minor adjustments (and running clothes underneath, of course). Mainly because a Princess Jasmine costume would be REALLY hard to make. Also, I’m not one to run around half naked, so I had to find a flesh-colored active tank to wear underneath, and I’ll also be wearing running capris under the pants because even though they basically feel like PJs and are SO comfy, I can’t even imagine the chafing that would occur after running a couple of miles in them…oh good lord.
All in all, it should be an interesting experience, and it’s not exactly the type of weather where I can run around in these outfits to “test” them out. But I figure I’ve already run a half marathon with a giant plastic bowl on my head (and, no, I never went for a test run in it!) so, I’m sure it will be fine.
As far as the actual races themselves, I have to say, this weekend couldn’t have come at a better time. Because I am still in a FUNK.
Last week, I did what I told you guys I planned to do — I ditched my Garmin, I ignored any and all training plans, and I ran whenever and for however many miles I wanted…well, other than Sunday, when I joined Todd for his scheduled 12 miles.
I made it through all 12 miles, and it wasn’t TOO bad, but I have to say…I didn’t love it. At all. Especially not after, say, mile 8 or 9. Not to sound like a Negative Nancy or anything, but I’m really, really tired of attempting to navigate through mounds of snow and patches of ice, I’m tired of training in the bitter cold, I’m tired of having to slow down so much that training runs that should take 2 hours end up lasting almost 3…and I’m still tired of running in general right now, to be completely honest.
I also took a whole lot of rest days last week — more so than I ever normally would. I had to miss a couple of martial arts classes due to scheduling issues, and we were slammed with more snow…and when you’re literally snowed inside it makes it a real giant pain in the ass to do anything.
I basically plan to do the bare minimum to get me through this weekend’s races and the marathon next month. That’s so not “me,” but with the way I’m feeling about running lately, I just don’t see any other way to do it. My goal is to have FUN at Princess — which is pretty much a given when I’m in Disney! — and to cross the finish line in Washington, DC in an upright position.
And, after that, I know I’m going to have to scale back. I miss that feeling I used to get when I’d lace up my running sneakers so, so badly. I think I need to give myself a chance to REALLY recover from back-to-back marathon training cycles and all the stress and the pressure and the anxiety that went along with it all, and let myself rediscover why I fell in love with running in the first place.
Mon., Feb. 10: Rest
Tue., Feb. 11: 4 miles on the DREADmill with my sister and Taekwondo class
Wed., Feb. 12: About 4 miles (I was Garmin-less, but ran for about 40-45 minutes or so around town)
Thur., Feb. 13: Rest
Fri., Feb. 14: Rest
Sat., Feb. 15: Gym workout with Todd (I pretty much loathe strength training, so he tells me which machines to use and how many reps…I whine and moan and groan because I’m bored…he ignores my desperate pleas to go home…rinse and repeat…)
Sun., Feb. 16: 12 miles
Total weekly mileage: About 20 miles
So, yeah, I’m not thrilled with my training overall this week, but I’m making the best of my current situation and the crap-tastic weather and I’m doing the best I can — that’s all you can really do, right?
I know returning to Princess will help. It’ll be a fun girls’ weekend with my sister, but I’m also really excited to run my “first” half marathon all over again. It will be a chance to reflect on everything I’ve accomplished in the past year since taking on the Princess Half in 2013, and hopefully that will help remind me of all the warm-fuzzy feelings I used to have for running before I stupidly decided to train for two marathons back-to-back!
How do you deal with training in less-than-perfect weather conditions?
Do you ever run in costume?
Who else is running Princess this weekend?!
I think running the GSC will do a lot to remind you of why you love running. Just going out there and having fun with your sister and running your first half again sounds like a great remedy for a running funk. I really hope to see you there! I’ll be looking out for your costume on Sunday
Thanks, Kristina! I know you’re probably right. I need a reminder of how much FUN running used to be, so I’m hoping this helps does the trick. I hope to see you, too, but if I don’t, BEST OF LUCK! You’ve earned this moment, so enjoy it! You’ve done an amazing job with your training, and you are going to have SOOOO much fun!
I’m running the GSC this weekend! It’s going to be a blast, and you’re going to have a ton of fun with your sister, wearing your costumes, and taking photos. Last year’s PHM was my first half too, and like you, I’m looking forward to repeating it. My advice is just to have fun and don’t care about your time, get back and do your marathon with Todd, and then just don’t worry about your mileage for a while. When Spring comes, your love for running will return.
Awesome! Good luck this weekend! I know it’s going to be a BLAST. I’m really excited to go back to “where it all began” and take on the race with a whole new perspective. Believe me, my goal in this race is FUN, and like you said, I’ll come home, do the marathon, and then take it one day at a time from there. I’m definitely holding out hope that once this freakin’ snow melts and I can see the grass and the sun and the trees again, my love for running will start to come back.
That will be so exciting to run with your sister for her first 10k! My sister is only running the half, but since she will be racing and I am using it as a training run, she will be leaving me in her dust! Your sister was very creative with your costumes…very cute! I guess I need to see Frozen, everyone loves that movie!
Thanks so much, Pam! I’m definitely excited to run together, and I love the way the costumes turned out…even though I still have no clue how she did it, haha. Even if you guys don’t stay together, it’s still always fun to do a race with someone else! Oh, and you MUST see Frozen!
This looks so fun! My high school best friend and I are planning on running the Princess Half next year. Your costumes are incredible! I can’t believe your sister makes them!
Aw, that’ll be so much fun. You will LOVE Princess — it is SUCH a blast! Thanks! I still have no clue how she did it…
Good luck, and I hope you find your love of running again! A fun race weekend may be exactly what you need.
Thanks, Lesley! Me too. This couldn’t have come at a better time!
I hope you post pictures!! Have a great time and good luck to you and your sister!!!
Thanks so much! Oh, you know I will!
Your costumes are fabulous as always! Cannot wait to see the pics, have a great time, travel safe, and soak up some extra rays for me!
Thanks, Kim! Oh, I will — I am DESPERATE for some warmth (and, you know, to see grass again, haha).
i absolutely LOVE your jasmine costume! i wish i had somebody around with costume making skills! can’t wait for your recaps; have an amazing time and have fun with it!
Thanks so much! Jasmine pretty much came right off Amazon, haha, but my sister is the only one in my family with any sort of crafting/costume-making abilities — I definitely couldn’t do it! Thanks again!
Love your costumes! Wish I was running Princess. I LOVE that Glass Slipper medal!
Thanks, Karla! Me too!
I saw this post and instantly thought of you. http://missfitznyc.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/off-season/
I wish you much luck and fun for the Glass Slipper Challenge!! I look forward to reading your post on your experience with this challenge. I’ve been sidelined for the past 8 months with a leg injury and therefore have been living vicariously through the experiences of others . I’ve had Disney Races on my list for some time and I can’t wait to be able to experience their races. As soon as I am cleared, the Princess Half will be my first “Big” race. Thanks again for sharing!!! Have a great run!!!
Thanks so much! OMG, yes…this is SO me. I desperately need a break, and I know that’s what I’ll have to do after the marathon in DC next month.
I’m so sorry about your injury; that has to be so frustrating. But you will NOT be sorry about making Princess your first big race — it’s an incredible experience. You’ll LOVE it!
Love your costumes! And I hear ya about being in a bit of a running rut…it’s been so hard with this crappy weather! Hopefully once it’s nice out we’ll both get back in our groove! Have fun this weekend!
Thanks, Danielle! It helps to know I’m not the only one; I want to get my running mojo back ASAP!
LOVE all your costumes!! That is awesome your sister made your Elsa & Anna ones. I hope you are having a blast this weekend :0)
I think training in the snow/ice would suck so bad. I’ve lived in the south my whole life so I’m definitely used to mild winters lol!
Thanks, Lauren! It was an absolute BLAST — so much fun!
Ugh, believe me…it DOES! And I envy you right about now! It has been AWFUL here.