Disney Vacation / Disney Princess Half Marathon

This is a pretty long post- hang in there-

or check back tomorrow!

So our Disney Weekend started with the race expo for packet pickup. It was held at the ESPNWWoS (world wide of sports).

Like all things Disney, it went pretty smoothly, considering this race was capped at 20,000 runners AND SOLD OUT!

There were long lines to get our bibs but I thought they went fast. Once our bibs were picked up we walked a bit more to the actual expo where the vendors are... I got some free swag, granola, protein bars, etc. 

A few hours later we all (7) headed to Lunch/Dinner. LINNER.

Last time we did this race basically every restaurant in the Orlando area had a really long wait time... Eating a big lunch ensured that we had at least one good meal of the day. 

Full of steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes (carb-load!) it was time for SHOPPING! We headed to the Orlando outlets- which were obviously PACKED! They even had lines just to get INTO a few stores... I didn't mind waiting though :-D

picture stolen from

I even added a new purse to my collection!

You can check it out HERE!

It was marked down, then an extra sale, and since I grabbed the last one in yellow- additional 10% off. Now that's a bargain.

We got the Princess some goodies from JCrew Kids and called it a day.  

Ryan and I booked our room at the Disney All-Sports Hotel. 

This is definitely one of their more basic resorts; 

but saved a lot of money on it using a discount code from race registration. 

I got all of my race day stuff ready, got settled then Ryan and I walked around the resort until 10pm.  Finally, bed time. 

My alarm was set for 3AM, 

I got out of bed after 10 seconds of sleep at 3:12, 

met up with Jessie and Cinderella at 3:50 

and we grabbed the bus to the start line.

It was dark and a little chilly. 

My only real 'complaint' against this race is that Disney requires all runners to the start line extremely early.

 The race starts at 5:45, 

so hanging out WAITING for 90 minutes is no fun. 

The run itself was great!

They had adequate water/powerade stations about every mile.

There were plenty of characters that you could have your picture taken with, we waited in line for Pocohantas, Jessie (from Toy Story) and the Princes.  The race takes you on back roads, down Main Street in Magic Kingdom, thru Cinderella's Castle, and ends around that big ol' Epcot ball thing.

We stuck together- and had so much fun!

Thanks Gail & Gm!

Once back in the room- I showered- twice, then it was off to Magic Kingdom! I feel comfortable saying that everyone had a good time, and when it did come time to go, 

we all wanted to stay...

Thankfully the flight home was uneventful, RyannLynn & Ryan slept for the first hour or so.

Now back to reality, food shopping and cold weather. 

~sHm~

The Three Stooges

WAAAAH.

I.DONT.WANT.TO.LEAVE!

Ryan and I keep trying to think of emergency reasons why we can't go home... HELP! 

Our long weekend of Vacation has come to an end.

It was fun, relaxing, perfect, and so badly NEEDED. 

Even though it was just a few days, 

I love going home reenergized - 

and I love seeing Ryan out of work clothes 

and out of 'work mode'!!! 

When can we come back?

I'll recap what we did and didn't do once I'm home...

This morning Im hanging with Gail waiting for everyone to wake up.

I mean, I know it's vacation, and 

I ran 13.1 miles yesterday, 

and then walked around Disney all day long, 

but sometimes my body can't help but be out of bed by 5:30am!

Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy your Monday-

say a little prayer for me 

as we board a direct flight home with the Princess!

---sHm---

BEACH BUM

The weather yesterday was simply perfect!

It was hot. It was humid. Yet still comfortable with a breeze!

We waited until late morning to decide if it was too windy to rent a boat.

Since it was windy and the water a little too rough we called it a beach day, not a boat day!

Is it just me or are the decisions really hard to make while on vacation!?

Ryan & I snuck off the beach for a little and grabbed lunch and 2 brews here.

magic hat for him + granny smith woodchuck for her

We returned to the beach, 

and I was nervous with the baby. #paranoid.

I was nervous for her skin, for it to be too sandy, too sunny, 

too windy, too loud, just too much.

I underestimate that baby, she started off (with spf55) 

sitting on a towel, just feet in the sand, ended up 

loving every single second of it. 

She ate it. Twice. Rolled in it, castled' it. Smashed it. Ryan dug a big hole so she was buried (while standing) in it... And then she brought half of the beach home, and we had a bath in more sand. Walking in the house I can feel it all over the floor. It was such a success, Ryan is drafting up the most BADASS sandbox for her at our house! #spoiled.

We came home, showered, recuperated, then headed out for 

 hopping dinner plans at the late hour of 5:00pm.

We ate at this local 'drive in' which actually isn't a drive in.

  It's a pretty awesome burger joint. 

Chattaways is decorated in the most eclectic and eccentric way,

 I highly recommend it if you are ever in the Tampa/ St. Pete area.

I enjoyed a glass of White Zinfandel with a 

Veggie Burger on a whole wheat bun and extra pickles!

#DELICIOUS

Today we are heading to the Orlando Outlets and 

the Disney Race Expo.

#expensive

13.1 miles tomorrow.

Let the CARB loading begin!!!!

Make it a good one-

-sHm-

lost my identity.

We made it!

With a 1 year old.

I was NOT a hotness at the airport.

It must have been GOD, 

because I was the mom with the happiest baby girl ever.

2 Flights, 1 layover, stress, no dinner, expired drivers license, merging airlines, rude airport employees, 

cranky mom, and still- not a ONE peep out of that baby.

We played with headphones, we played with noisy toys, we drank juice, we ate cheerios, we threw cheerios, we kicked the seat in front of us - nonstop. 

*officially SORRY to seat 25C, from 26C*

So grateful for my awesomeamazinghelpfulbutpatient travel family!

COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN HERE SANELY without you!

WATCH OUT FLORIDA! 

Disney Princess Half Marathon

Nothing like waiting 'til the last possible second.

I'm catching a plane out of here today.

All that I have packed so far is: NOTHING.

It's going to be a bit of a hectic morning in the sHm house.

Not like I knew about this trip for months or anything...

Seven of us are going down to funky town and meeting some 

REAL LIFE DISNEY PRINCESSES!

I've been looking forward to this trip since, well, since it was still an idea.

The weather:

It will be a great long weekend.

Time spent with family, warm weather, relaxed atmosphere, cold drinks, shopping and a half marathon to top it!

But on the for real I'm nervous to run.

I took this week off except for a two mile run that was so slow, I pretended it didn't even happen. Every single run last week I had pain in my shins/calves. I'm going to try out some of these things and hope for a miracle!  

This is my training from last week...

If you are interested in past 1/2 marathons

you can read up here

If not-

Enjoy your day!

***any tips on flying with a 1 year old?!?***

how to fall in love

It was a story that was true and rare...

They locked eyes.

Hers were a sparkling blue,

His, a cotton brown, so gentle. so still.

They talked a while.

A friendly kiss was given.

Then a slight embrace.

She was smiling for days!

Then, well, I guess you know what happens next!

creepy hand. hi.

Fall in love today!

--- sHm ---

Spinach Fettucini Alfredo

Dinner last night was Spinach Fettucini Alfredo.

We had a slight fail as I dropped half of the pasta in the sink, I put the sink pasta in Ryans bowl saved it though.

We had some brews and rented Driving.

Then turned it off after 15 minutes, it was slow.

I may turn it back on, because I'm so stubborn and have to waste ninety minutes to find out that yes, the entire movie was bad. Even the ending. 

We are heading out to replace our trusty Keurig that died on us. WAH! 

Enjoy your day!

Saturday Run ReCap

I know its going to be a good day if by 9:15am 

I've already run 8 solid miles.

I got to Gails house early this morning, we packed up the baby and the grandpa and headed into 'town' again.

I feel extremely blessed to have such great 

soon-to-be inlaws!

Grandpa dropped Gail & I off then took the baby on a pancake date at the local diner. They have an adorable relationship, PRINCESS Ryann always screeches "PAAAAPA" when she sees Grandpa. Once they were finished with breakfast they drove to find us to give us water then patiently waited (grandpa caught up on work emails and the Princess worked on catching Zzzzs) until we completed our 8 miles. 

We both had a good run, and felt strong the entire time...

 The weather was perfect...

and since it was pretty early for a saturday morning their wasn't too much traffic.

My calves feel tight right now, 

I'm going to stretch them out for a bit, then maybe go for 

a 'shakeout' 3 miler tomorrow?

Tonights agenda is some spinach fettucini alfredo with garlic bread and a movie!

*that disney post i promised is coming soon!*

Enjoy your weekend...

- - -   sHm  - - -

C.M.P.

Today was not about Chocolate, Marshmellows, or Peanuts...

Ill get to the cmp- 

But first, the Princess, BOB, & I drove into 'town'

where the roads have larger shoulders or sidewalks AND is significantly flatter. 

I parked my car at the grocery store and ran 4.6 miles then walked 0.4. 

When the 3 of us finished, I left BOB in the car, and ventured inside for some C.M.P.

C= Disney Princess COOKIES

that I'm going to bust out tomorrow,

I'll do a post on that afterwards!

But my real post run craving was in the form of

chocolate MILK and Pickles

*This just in*

Pickles 1/2 gone. (or 1/2 full whatever!)

chocolate Milk all gone. 

Im well aware of how this purchase makes me look.

I got it, thanks. 

Have a good night!

Tomorrow is All Things Disney here at sHm!

HOW TO FAKE IT

Either I dont really pay attention to the news/weather 

orrr

we had some unexpected flurries?

Nothing actually accumulated but all day it was a

'wintery mix' in the Poconos.

That didnt really discourage me too much,

I kept it cool & casual in my 

stay-at-home uniform.

(yoga pants and a sweater)

And headed out to get my indoor tan on...

I feel so... pale.

Meanwhile, in the bat cave, 

Buzz annihilated ALL of the toys that I just got him.

Including the "all natural, dye free, organic hemp" harness that I splurged on. Which, DUH, it's not a toy, but apparently sure fun to eat... In the background is some rubber dog toy he ate and my 1 week old floor mat. 

Today I had planned on lifting.

I bailed. 

This entire week has been 

a struggle for me.

The workouts and the diet aspect...

I'm BLAMING* it on Anniversary gifts;

swedish fish, gummi bears, kit kats, reeses, sour watermelons, hot tamales et cetera... once I 'ruin' my day with a hand(s)ful of gummi bears, my brain automatically goes to "why bother working out, in fact, why bother with a salad?" AHH!

*ie: not MY fault!

So, after sitting home, regretting my lack of working out, 

I guess I'm going to fake it 'til I make it. 

post 3 mile face.
also works with finger in outlet face

I begrudgingly jumped on my treadmill and told myself not to get off until 3 miles passed...

I feel so much better to do something!

I guess that saying is true:

You never regret a workout

only the ones you never do.

- and I just realized this entire post was about crappy weather and living off of candy... 

Moving right along, at least its Tee Shirt Time...

Jersey Shore @ 10:00pm. Be there...

Be sure to check back tomorrow for an attitude adjustment.

-  -  - s H m -  -  -

increase your odds

Well.

Hi!

So, I did a crap`tastic 3 mile run on the treadmill this morning

all I wanted was for it to be OVER.

Since every single time I glanced down to check progress, 

my distance barely changed...

probably because it was similar to watching paint dry.

not a whole lot of action...

I stopped after each mile, snapped a quick pic then walked for 90 seconds in between...

And, NOT BEFORE I KNEW IT...

3 miles was done. 

FINALLY. 9:15 pace.

I currently have my running clothes / sneakers on,

which Ryan always will say, 

'how was your run'

-i didnt run

'oh how was your workout?'

-i didnt workout

'oh why are you dressed like that'

-it's as far as i got.

Okay. I think I'm going to do it.

Just twenty minutes or so...

My anniversary flowers.

I love this bouquet, 

it has 6 huge pink gerbera daisies 

4 red roses, 

and some other things that i think look pretty, 

but will remain nameless...

because THAT's how I roll.

(read: clueless to flowers)

What is your favorite flower?

Have a good night!

>>> sHm <<<